Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 105,557 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 28. There have been 2,359 COVID-19 deaths in Washington.

For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

Tips for a safe and fun Halloween from the Department of Health. DOH wants Washington residents to have a fun Halloween while remembering a few key actions you can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Protect yourself, your loved ones, and others while celebrating:

• Wear a cloth face covering anytime you are with people not from your household, whether indoors or outside.
• Avoid confined spaces. Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities, but if you’re indoors, make sure to have proper ventilation, and open doors and windows to the extent possible.
• Avoid close contact with people outside of your household. Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not part of your household.
• Wash or sanitize your hands (and the hands of little ones) often.
• Stay home if you are sick or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19. And if you have symptoms or you’ve been a close contact of someone with COVID-19, get a COVID-19 test.

Looking for creative ways to celebrate safely? DOH’s latest blog post on Halloween might do the trick, or these ideas for safer (but still spooky) good time.

COVID-19 activity intensifying across Washington state. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission, which shows a general rise in the intensity of the epidemic in both western and eastern Washington. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan update from the Washington State Department of Health. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. Read the full news release here.

October 28 COVID-19 response update media briefing recording available. This week’s COVID-19 response update media briefing with leaders from the governor’s office and DOH is available to watch here.

COVID-19 Long-term Care Report. As of October 26, a total of 8,280 COVID-19 cases (8% of total cases) and 1,275 deaths (55% of total deaths) have been identified as associated with a long-term care facility (i.e., nursing home, assisted living facility or adult family home).

• These cases include residents as well as employees and visitors. Not all of these cases were exposed at a LTC facility.
• Many cases visited multiple places during their exposure period, and some individuals may have visited a LTC facility after disease onset.

Scammers pose as Department of Health officials in fraudulent schemes targeting medical providers. Warning to health care professionals with Washington licenses: Beware of scammers falsely claiming to represent the Washington State Department of Health – and don’t send money to anyone without being certain of the recipient’s identity. Read the full news release here.

Five key COVID-19 safety requirements for all Washington employers. Emergency law requires five key workplace safety practices for all employers. Employees must practice social distancing and mask up. Employees must wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. Workplaces must be routinely sanitized. A plan must be written and in place to address worker illness. Finally, employees must be educated about COVID-19 and how to work safely.

Universal masking is still required. All Washington workers must mask up at work, unless working alone. The face covering must cover the mouth and nose. Further, all Washingtonians are required to mask up in all indoor and outdoor public settings. This means that workers and customers alike are required to be masked in the presence of others. All businesses are required to post signage requiring masks of visitors.