After assessing snow levels in dozens of avalanche chutes, some stretching more than 2,000 feet above the highway, Washington State Department of Transportation crews will start clearing the State Route 20 North Cascades Highway Monday, March 23.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus among Skagit County residents has jumped to 18. Three people have been hospitalized during this crisis. Still no deaths reported. Wednesday's total of confirmed cases was 14.

The county reports there are now 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Skagit County residents, with no reported deaths. Two Skagit County residents are hospitalized. The latest statewide figure is 1,187 cases with 66 deaths recorded. Fifty-six of those are in King County.

There’s an array of recommendations about how to adjust our lives to reduce the spread of the novel virus. All are motivated by the same guiding principle: The better the public does in these efforts, the better off everyone will be.

Older adults are at serious risk during this pandemic and have been advised to avoid contact with others. Yet many still need essential services, and programs are scrambling to adapt.

Health care reporter Caroline Chen dug into the projections to learn what to make of them. Forecasts are fuzzy, but the takeaway is clear: Stay home.