OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington’s death toll from the coronavirus could actually be two to three times the current total reported by the Department of Health.
That’s because some people who died of virus-like symptoms early in the outbreak were never tested.
Health officials have identified 3,000 deaths dating back to January 1st that involved symptoms like pneumonia or acute respiratory syndrome, which are both commonly associated with COVID-19.
Officials are now investigating those deaths to determine whether they should be added to the state death toll.