LiveCoronavirus daily news update, March 5: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the nation

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed an $8.3 billion measure Thursday to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government’s response to the virus, whose rapid spread is threatening to upend everyday life in the U.S. and across the globe.

The money would pay for a multifaceted attack on a virus that is spreading more widely every day, sending financial markets spiraling again Thursday, disrupting travel and potentially threatening the U.S. economy’s decade-long expansion.

Thursday’s sweeping 96-1 vote sends the bill to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., cast the sole “no” vote. The House passed the bill Wednesday by a 415-2 vote.

Read the full story here.

Public health officials confirmed that a woman in her 90s died Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths in Washington to 11.

The woman had been hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland.

SAN FRANCISCO — Scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay, officials ordered a cruise ship with about 3,500 people aboard to hold off the California coast Thursday until passengers and crew could be tested, after a traveler from its previous voyage died and at least one other became infected.

A Coast Guard helicopter was expected to deliver test kits to the Grand Princess once it reached the waters off San Francisco later in the day. Princess Cruise Lines said fewer than 100 of those aboard had been identified for testing,

“The ship will not come on shore until we appropriately assess the passengers,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Read the full story here.

Washington state’s insurance commissioner issued an emergency order Thursday directing all health insurance carriers, through May 4, to provide health care provider visits and novel coronavirus testing without co-payments and deductible payments to enrollees who meet criteria for testing.

Questions about coronavirus testing and treatment costs have stirred some concern about people without insurance, as well as insured people without savings. People anxious about costs may delay care and thereby contribute to the spread of the virus, public health experts have said.

Boeing notified employees late Wednesday that an employee on the 777 production line in Everett went home with flu-like symptoms and about 10 co-workers who were in close contact on the second shift were asked to also go home “out of an abundance of caution.”

Spokesman Bernard Choi said the company has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

The message to employees said the ill worker did not need emergency care and was planning to contact his doctor Thursday.

“The facilities team has begun cleaning the work area, again just to be safe,” the message from Everett site leader Jeff Klemann continued.

“I know this is a stressful time for many given the coronavirus outbreak in Washington State. Let me be clear: So far, we have not had any confirmed cases of coronavirus at Boeing. That said, we are being extra cautious, proactive and keeping you informed with the latest guidance. We have a medical team that is actively monitoring the situation at our sites.”

Boeing said its health services director in Everett, a doctor, is monitoring the situation inside the factory. She advised employees that “this is cold and flu season so we should expect that others may feel ill for many reasons other than the coronavirus. As a reminder, if you are sick, please stay home. I ask everyone to be patient as we work through this dynamic situation.”

Washington now has 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to Washington state Department of Health Secretary John Wiesman.

Of those 70 cases, 51 are in King County (including nine deaths), 18 are in Snohomish County (including one death) and one is in Grant County.

Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Washington state this afternoon to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee amid rising anxiety over the coronavirus outbreak and political criticism over the Trump administration’s response.

Pence plans to fly into Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Air Force Two at about 3 p.m., according to the White House.

Pence is scheduled to meet with Inslee at 4 p.m. at the state emergency operations center at Camp Murray, and the two will hold a joint news conference after 5 p.m.

Members of Washington’s congressional delegation will join Pence and Inslee, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Sammamish, Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, and Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

Read the full story here.

A first-year University of Washington law student has been asked by health care professionals to self-isolate out of concern he or she might have contracted the novel coronavirus, according to an email to the UW Law community from Mario L. Barnes, the law school’s dean.

“The student’s health care team reports that according to CDC guidelines, the student currently does not warrant testing. As a result, we do not know with certainty whether the student has coronavirus,” Barnes wrote. “The student’s professors are working to make accommodations for coursework.”

In Washington state:

• If you can work from home, do it. If you’re over 60 or have an underlying health condition, stay home. That’s the message from local officials, and major companies like Microsoft and Amazon are taking it seriously as coronavirus cases spread.
• What if staying home isn’t practical? Many workers who interact with the public are fretting. Here’s what’s safe, what’s not, and how to protect yourself.
• Your bus isn’t just less crowded; it’s a lot cleaner. King County Metro Transit workers are spraying all handrails, seats and windows each night with a sanitizing solution.
• All Northshore public schools are closed for up to 14 days and will conduct classes online. But there are serious equity concerns about that approach.
• UW Medicine can now test patient specimens. The UW Medicine lab could dramatically speed up the time it takes to determine if someone has the virus.
• Quarantine concerns in Kent. Kent’s leaders are fired up over King County’s decision to buy a motel there and use it for quarantined patients.
• Public health workers were frantically “putting out fires” even before coronavirus arrived. Now, with money short, other diseases are on the back burner.
• Even Boeing is cutting down on flying because of the virus.
• There are lessons to heed from what happened in China, but experts are cautioning against extreme measures in the Seattle area.

Elsewhere in the world:

• California has its first COVID-19 death — the first in the U.S. outside of Washington state. Their governor has declared a state of emergency.
• While China is reporting fewer new infections lately, the opposite is happening in other countries, which are seeing a litany of cancellations, closures, travel bans and supply shortages.