OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington’s statewide stay-at-home order to slow the spread of coronavirus may need to be extended beyond its initial two-week period, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.

“The reason is, we simply cannot allow this virus to explode,” Inslee said in a morning press briefing. “It’s crucial that we all maintain social distancing. … It would not be sufficient to knock down this curve (in virus spread) for two weeks and then have it come roaring back.”

Inslee said there are initial encouraging signs that the rate of increase in infections and deaths from coronavirus in Washington is starting to show a modest reduction, but that won’t last if the stay-at-home order is lifted prematurely.

“We shouldn’t be within 10,000 miles of popping champagne corks on…