Latest recap of COVID-19 news, updates from State Health Dept.

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 353,147 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on April 12. There have been 5,340 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 Road to Recovery Metrics dashboard.

COVID-19 response update media briefing. Secretary Shah and other response leaders will provide a media briefing Wednesday, April 14, 8:30–9:30 a.m. PT. Please join the call 5-10 minutes early.

• TVW will livestream the briefing here.
• Reporters participating in the Q&A must register here.
• If you would like to ask a question, you must register and log into the Zoom conference, and email doh-pio@doh.wa.gov with subject line Briefing Question.

April 13 COVID-19 media briefing. Washington State Secretary of Health Umair Shah provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 response. He was joined by Michele Roberts, assistant secretary, and Scott Lindquist, acting state health officer. View the briefing here.

Statement on pausing J&J vaccine. DOH will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine statewide starting immediately, following the guidance of the FDA/CDC. Use of that vaccine will be put on hold until we receive further recommendations from our federal partners about how best to move forward. Read the full statement here.

Statement from Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health on Roadmap to Recovery Announcement. Secretary Shah commented on the decision to move some counties back to Phase 2. Read the full statement here.

Inslee announces three counties to roll back to Phase 2. Cowlitz, Pierce, and Whitman counties do not meet the Phase 3 Healthy Washington metrics for reopening activities. Read the full news release here.

New guidance for testing in long-term care facilities. The guidance includes several recommendations from the CDC’s Testing Guidelines for Nursing Homes that should apply to other long-term care facilities beyond nursing homes. Read the full guidance here.

Resources

Latest COVID-19 reopening guidance for businesses and workers. A full list of current reopening guidance from the Governor’s Office is available here.

Find a COVID-19 testing location near you. To make it easier to find a test near you, the DOH has created a webpage to help people find COVID-19 testing locations throughout the state.

Guidance and resources for employers and business owners. Sign up for the Economic Resiliency Team weekly business and worker newsletter here.

The state COVID-19 Assistance Hotline is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127, then press # or text 211-211 for help. New hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

Washington Listens helps people manage stress and anxiety they may be experiencing because of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org.