Washington state reports nearly 2,000 COVID-19 cases, 11 deaths

The Washington state Department of Health reported 1,987 new COVID-19 cases and 11 new deaths Thursday while health officials and doctors continued to urge people not to have people over for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The update Thursday brings the state’s totals to 137,411 cases and 2,603 deaths.

State officials said 9,673 people have been hospitalized in the state due to the virus with 31 new hospitalizations since Wednesday.

State COVID-19 transmission fastest since March, hospital surge ‘exponential’

Dr. Elizabeth Wako, vice president of Medical Affairs for Swedish First Hill in Seattle, said during a weekly COVID-19 response media update Wednesday that cases at the hospital have tripled since Halloween.

“Our teams are tired,” Wako said. “Do not have people over for Thanksgiving. I cannot emphasize this enough.”

Getting tested for COVID-19 for the holidays? In Washington, it’s straining the system