Recap of COVID-19 news and updates for this day

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 793 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 54,985 as of July 28 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,555.

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.

Inslee extends high-risk employee proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee today extended his proclamation regarding workers’ rights and protections and protections for employees at higher risk of severe illness. As a result of new CDC guidance regarding people at increased risk for severe illness, the extension will provide a clarifying guidance memo. The guidance memo confirms that employees who are 65 and older continue to be covered by the proclamation and clarifies processes for employers of individuals with certain medical conditions. The proclamation will remain in effect through the duration of the state of emergency, or until otherwise rescinded or amended.

Read the full proclamation here. Read the full guidance memo here.

Weekly media briefing with state COVID-19 leaders. The Joint Information Center’s weekly media briefing with officials from the governor’s office and DOH included an update about COVID-19 activity in the state, questions about school reopening, and more. You can view the briefing on TVW.

Kreidler extends emergency order on surprising billing and lab fees for coronavirus testing. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically-necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 until Aug. 27. His order applies to both in-state and out-of-state laboratories, when a provider orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19.

His order also encourages health insurers to notify his office if out-of-network laboratories are not publishing cash prices or if they do not accept the published cash price as final payment for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.

Find your 5. Social gatherings are one reason COVID-19 activity is high in Washington state. Fewer, shorter, safer interactions are absolutely crucial to preventing the spread of COVID-19. This is why the governor and DOH have restricted social gatherings to no more than 5 people (10 people in Phase 3 counties). Continue to avoid crowds, and if you’re meeting up with anyone from a separate household, keep the total size of your gathering to no more than 5 people at one time. Read here for more tips on how to socialize safely.