At least 94 cases of coronavirus have been connected to an outbreak at a long-term care facility in Stanwood.
As of Friday, 53 residents and 41 staff members at Josephine Caring Community had been infected, according to the Snohomish Health District.
Two residents were in the hospital and seven had recovered on Saturday, according to the care facility. Most residents showed mild or no symptoms.
“As we learned early on in this pandemic, COVID-19 infections can spread incredibly fast in congregate living environments like these,” Dr. Chris Spitters, Snohomish Health District health officer, said in a statement.
The health district was first notified of a COVID-19 case at Josephine Caring Community on Oct. 26. The number of infected people has “steadily increased” since then with cases nearly tripling over a two- to three-day period last week, according to the district.
Josephine Care Community says it is working with the Department of Health to review and revise infection control protocols. Resident group activities and dining was banned, and the facility says it continues to be “diligent” with the use of personal protective equipment, hand washing and masking.
The Snohomish Health District said it would help recommend any additional interventions.
The Josephine outbreak was just one example of soaring coronavirus cases in Snohomish County over the last few weeks. Between Oct. 25 and Nov. 7, Snohomish County reported 187.7 new cases per 100,000 residents, which is the highest rate the county has seen since the start of the pandemic, according to health district data. The county also broke a record in early November for the most new cases reported in a single day, recording 244 new cases.