Today, the Public Health Insider posted several updates, including revisions to the CDC list of symptoms for COVID-19, a reminder about safety measures during the upcoming farmers market season, and updates about homeless shelters.
As researchers continue to learn more about COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just added six new symptoms to its list of known COVID-19 symptoms. For more information from Public Health about symptoms, testing and care, click here.
Farmers market season is back, but physical distancing is still required. Like grocery stores, farmers markets are among the many essential businesses that have remained open – with important safety guidelines in place. Public Health Insider has tips for how to keep you, your family, the vendors and other visitors healthy.
In a continuing effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus and prevent transmission through the homeless shelter population, King County has negotiated with two additional local hotels to serve as temporary shelter locations for people experiencing homelessness.
For the full updates, visit the Public Health Insider.
Otherwise, this daily synthesis of the Public Health data is provided by Will Daugherty of Pacific Science Center. Thanks Will!
Public Health has updated the data dashboard. As of 11:59 pm yesterday, April 28, there were 6,182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County, 128 more than the previous day. There have been 436 confirmed deaths in King County due to COVID-19, 7.1% of all confirmed cases.
The numbers that Public Health reports each day include delayed results from previous days.
Observations
The three graphs below chart new cases, total case count and the logarithmic trajectory of cases.
The first graph shows new cases (blue bars) and the 7-day average (red line). Of the 128 new cases reported today, 94 were confirmed yesterday and the remaining 34 were confirmed in previous days but reported to Public Health in the last day, resulting in restatements of the totals for previous days. The 7-day average peaked at 188 on April 1 and has been in decline since then, but the 7-day average has leveled off during the last several days. The trailing 7-day average is now 90 new cases per day. It is difficult to imagine the Governor and other officials turning the dial quickly on social distancing requirements with the 7-day average of new cases at this level.
The second graph shows the total case count. With 6,182 total cases as of 11:59 pm yesterday, the compound daily growth rate during the last 7 days has been 1.5%, less than the 2.1% rate during the prior 7 days. At a 1.5% compound daily growth rate, the number of cases doubles every 45.1 days. One week ago, cases were doubling every 33.6 days. Two weeks ago, cases were doubling every 24.5 days. Three weeks ago, cases were doubling every 14.5 days.
The third graph shows the trajectory of cases in King County with the total number of cases on the horizontal axis and the new cases on the vertical axis. Each axis is on a logarithmic scale. Each blue dot represents a daily report. The dot farthest to the left is the February 28 report. Time passes from left to right as the total case count grows. The dot farthest to the right is today’s daily report. We can see a clear change in the trajectory since March 28, shortly after Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order on March 23.
Will Daugherty welcomes your questions and comments. His email is wdaugherty@pacsci.org