These food-related industries have had the most COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington

OLYMPIA — Food-related industries have had the most COVID-19 outbreaks, according to a state report released Tuesday.

The report from Washington State Department of Health highlights total outbreak data across the state through July 25 at non-healthcare settings, long-term care facilities and non-long-term care facilities. The data reveals the kinds of settings where outbreaks have been reported since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Among non-healthcare settings, 411 total outbreaks have been reported. Such outbreaks are led by the agriculture and food packing industry at 57, food-related manufacturing at 44, retail and grocery settings at 44 and food service or restaurant settings at 44.

Non-healthcare outbreaks peaked between June and July, according to the report. Such settings also include childcare, prisons, places of worship, homeless shelters and more.

A total of 459 outbreaks have been reported at long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and adult family homes. These cases peaked between March and April, according to the report.

Additionally, the state reported 53 outbreaks at non-long-term care facilities such as hospitals, behavioral health facilities and independent senior living facilities.

The state collected the data from local health departments that gathered the information through case interviews and voluntary reports, according to a news release.

If a report is confirmed at the local level, the outbreak is reported to the Washington Department of Health and the local health departments finish their own investigations, the release read.