Spokane County COVID cases top 200

SPOKANE -- COVID19 cases in Spokane County have topped 200, with the death toll from the severe acute respiratory disease rising as well.

In an April 4 news release, Spokane County Department of Emergency Management officials said the total number of individuals with the disease was 209, up from 194 on April 3. The death toll also increased from seven to 10.

According to Spokane Regional Health District information, to date 3,711 individual have been tested in the county, with 135 testing positive, 3,574 negatives and 34 hospitalizations.

On the West Plains, Cheney Care Center officials confirmed one of the residents of the Care Center -- the skilled nursing facility and not the Assisted Living facility or Sessions Village -- had tested positive for the disease and was hospitalized in Spokane on March 30. The disease was likely brought into the facility by a staff member, executive director Keith Fauerso said, even though personnel are conducting recommended screening procedures such as taking the temperatures and asking questions of all staff and vendors coming to the facility.

No additional cases have been reported at the facility, Fauerso added.

In Airway Heights, Fire Chief Mitch Metzger said a DOA reported Monday was negative for COVID-19, according to the county coroner report. Of four other residents hospitalized as possible cases, one tested negative while a second tested positive.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].