Washington state to surpass 5K coronavirus deaths

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state is expected this week to surpass 5,000 deaths from the coronavirus, almost exactly one year after the first known virus death was recorded in the U.S. The state reported 475 new confirmed cases and 13 more deaths Monday, which brought its totals to 339,773 known infections and 4,969 deaths from the virus. The first confirmed coronavirus death in Washington — and the U.S. — was announced on Feb. 29, 2020. The Seattle Times reported that state health officials are hopeful due to a recent consistent decline in deaths that’s been buoyed by the scaling up of vaccinations against the virus.