Coronavirus deaths up to 10 in Washington state

Washington state anunced ar death from coronavirus Wednesday, bringing its total to 10. Federal authorities anunced an investigation of Seattle-area nursing home where many of victims were stricken.

Most of those who died were residents of Life Care Center, a nursing home in Kirkland, a suburb east of Seattle.

At least 39 cases have been reported in Seattle area, where researchers say virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks.

federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is sending inspectors to Life Care along with experts from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to figure out what happened and determine wher nursing home followed guidelines for preventing infections.

Life Care Center said on its website that it is screening employees for symptoms before y start work and as y leave.

nursing home is prohibiting visits from residents' family members.

Meanwhile, public officials in Washington came under pressure to take more aggressive steps against outbreak, including closing schools and canceling large events.

While state and Seattle have declared emergencies, giving leers bro powers to suspend activities, y have t issued any orders to do so.

At a press conference Wednesday, King County officials recommended any residents over 60 years old, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems to stay home as much as possible.