COVID-19 cases in Grant, Adams counties

Over the past week, the number of COVID-19 cases in Grant and Adams counties has continued to grow.

From March 23 to March 30, Grant County jumped from 25 confirmed cases to 63. Royal City and Warden were informed of their first cases of COVID-19. As of Monday, March 30, both cities had two confirmed cases. Mattawa had nine confirmed cases, up three from the previous week.

In other areas around Grant County, Quincy went from 16 confirmed cases to 33 confirmed on March 30. Ephrata had seven cases, Moses Lake had nine. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Soap Lake was found last week.

Seven patients had been hospitalized, and three patients were hospitalized at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake awaiting test results, according to Gretchen Youngren, executive director of development and communication at Samaritan.

Two staff members at Samaritan Healthcare had tested positive for the virus. Youngren believes that the staff members were infected outside of the facility.

As of March 30, 399 COVID-19 tests had come back negative. Grant County had an estimated 233 test results pending. No more deaths had been reported.

On Friday, March 27, Adams County reported five cases, all in Othello and in individuals 50 to 70 years old.

On Monday, March 30, Adams County Emergency Management Director Jay Weise reported that 11 individuals had been confirmed to have COVID-19. An hour later, Karen Potts, nurse and information officer for Adams County Health Department, confirmed two additional cases, bringing the total to 13. Potts also said that the virus is now county-wide, not in Othello only. Last week, there was only one case. Two individuals had been hospitalized.

Adams County had administered 96 COVID-19 tests. Sixty-one had come back negative.

Health district officials from both counties continue to recommend frequent hand-washing for 20 seconds with soap and warm water, staying home and sending only one person in the household to make essential trips, such as to a grocery store.

Emry Dinman contributed to this report.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at [email protected].