10 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Spokane County on Sunday

Ten new COVID-19 cases in Spokane County were announced on Sunday, the fewest in a week.

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Spokane County had been increasing at a more rapid pace for more than two weeks following an outbreak at the Philadelphia Macaroni Co. plant in north Spokane.

Although new cases from that outbreak began to level off, new outbreaks at nursing homes and at least two other workplaces caused a new spike in numbers late last week, culminating in a record 57 new cases reported on Friday. Health officials have declined to say where the new outbreaks have occurred.

Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz has urged the public to remain vigilant against the disease by maintaining social distance and wearing face masks in public. Officials also have stressed that the spikes are at least in part due to a significant boost in testing capacity and contact tracing. The result of these efforts, they say, are improved chances of preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus because people are more likely to learn if they have been exposed.

“When we investigate positive cases, the result of reaching out to those who came in close contact is an increase in testing and possible discovery of more positive cases, many of whom may not have symptoms,” Lutz said in a news release. “They now know to self-quarantine to help keep others in our community healthy.”

The total number of confirmed cases in the county since the outbreak began in March is 738. Seven people remained hospitalized Sunday, according to the Health District. About half those who have contracted the virus have recovered, according to health officials.