WA high court to hear prisoner virus case

A look at virus-related developments in Washington:

CASES

There are now more than 4,850 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washington state and at least 195 deaths. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in several weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

PRISONER RELEASE

The Washington State Supreme Court has agreed to quickly hear a lawsuit seeking the release of thousands of people incarcerated in state prisons to protect them the spread of the coronavirus. The court said Friday it will grant "accelerated review" of the case, with briefings due by mid-April. The petition to the court was filed last week by Columbia Legal Services, on behalf of five inmates in Washington prisons who have medical conditions that could make them especially vulnerable if the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps through crowded cellblocks.

GRANTS FOR NEEDY

A virus response fund supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, the Seattle Seahawks and others say it has made more than $10 million in grants to groups working with vulnerable people in the Puget Sound area. Administered by the Seattle Foundation, , the COVID-19 Response Fund supports more than 120 organizations.