Coronavirus deaths up to 10 in Washington state

Washington state announced another death from the coronavirus Wednesday, bringing its total to 10. Federal authorities announced an investigation of the Seattle-area nursing home where many of the 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 the Seattle area, where researchers say the virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks.

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

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

The nursing home is prohibiting visits from residents' family members.

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

While the state and Seattle have declared emergencies, giving leaders broad powers to suspend activities, they have not 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.