||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||
Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 378,225 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on May 3. There have been 5,528 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 Roadmap to Recovery Metrics dashboard.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s May 4 press conference. The governor provided an update on the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing a two-week pause on movement in the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan. Under the pause, every county will remain in its current phase. At the end of two weeks, each county will be re-evaluated. Inslee was joined by Umair Shah, MD, MPH, secretary, Department of Health; Jeffrey Duchin, MD, health officer, Public Health–Seattle & King County; and Nick Streuli, executive director of external affairs, Office of the Governor. View the press conference here, and read the full news release here.
State publishing county vaccination data by race and ethnicity to improve local equity efforts. DOH’s COVID-19 data dashboard now includes county-level data on the race and ethnicity of people who have been vaccinated. The newly available data will help counties, local partners, and the public understand where there are inequities to address them more intentionally. Read the full news release here.
COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington state K-12 schools. Between Aug. 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, 182 COVID-19 outbreaks and 708 COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools were reported to DOH. Read the full April 30 report here.
Inslee announces update to spectator event and religious organization guidance. Gov. Jay Inslee approved an update to guidance documents for spectator events and religious and faith-based organizations that allows facilities to increase capacity by adding sections for vaccinated attendees. Read the full news release here.
Inslee announces update to long-term care facility guidance. Gov. Jay Inslee approved an update to guidance documents for Proclamation 20-66, Operations and Visitation, for long-term care facilities. The amended guidance aligns with recent CDC recommendations regarding infection control practices when planning for or allowing group activities or communal dining. Read the full news release here.
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