Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency order Wednesday banning large gatherings in three Western Washington counties that have been the hardest hit as the coronavirus spreads across not only the state but also the world.

As testing becomes more widely available, so have confirmed COVID-19 cases. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 373 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washington, with 30 deaths recorded due to the respiratory disease.

Cases have been confirmed in 12 counties statewide, and there are more than 30 cases classified as “unassigned” while health officials work to determine which county has jurisdiction over those positive test results.

The number of cases is expected to continue to grow as the State Public Health Lab, the University of Washington and several private lab companies ramp up testing.

So far, the majority of deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities in Western Washington. There are five facilities linked to deaths in former residents, including Life Care Center in Kirkland, Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Redmond Care and Rehabilitation Center, Ida Culver House in Seattle and Josephine Caring Communities in Stanwood.

There are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents of 11 long-term care facilities in King and Snohomish counties, and county health districts are constantly updating numbers as more cases are confirmed.

Inslee’s emergency order prohibits gatherings of more than 250 people in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.

“This is not just your ordinary flu,” Inslee said in a press release announcing the emergency order.

The order covers concerts, religious services, festivals and athletic contests. Inslee said it was “highly likely” the order will be extended beyond March, and could be extended to other areas of the state if the COVID-19 virus spreads.

King County officials will take additional measures by restricting social gatherings of groups of fewer than 250 unless organizers take steps to reduce the potential spread, said Jeff Duchin, a King County public health official.

While these restrictions may impact people’s way of life, they’re important to the effort to contain the virus’ spread and to protect people at a higher risk of dying from the virus, Inslee said.

Health experts have estimated that COVID-19 cases could double in five to seven days if left unmitigated.

Seattle Public Schools, the state’s largest district, also announced Wednesday plans to close for at least two weeks.

That announcement came soon after Inslee urged school district officials to begin planning for potential closures and to figure out what to do for students who rely on school meals and for families who would need to find childcare.

Employers throughout the state also were encouraged to have as many employees as possible work remotely and to employ “social distancing” protocols in the workplace.

Earlier Wednesday morning, a Senate committee approved new rules to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, including more teleworking for staff after the Legislature adjourns on Thursday.

“I think it would be really good to clean this place out for at least a couple weeks,” Secretary of the Senate Brad Hendrickson told the Facilities and Operations Committee, which controls work rules for the chamber.

Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville, said she’s had mixed experiences with staff teleworking.

“We cannot be so paranoid that we don’t ask our staffs to work,” Becker said.

Hendrickson said the senators could take teleworking privileges away if the work isn’t getting done.