Recap of new statewide COVID-19 response updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 290,168 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on January 25. There have been 4,167 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.

COVID-19 response media briefing cancelled for week of Jan. 25. DOH’s regularly scheduled briefing will not take place this week, but solo interviews are still available. Stay up-to-date on response efforts via our newsroom, website and social media.

Four mass vaccination sites open statewide this week. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), with assistance from the Washington National Guard and local and private sector partners, is launching four mass vaccination sites throughout the state this week. Announced by Gov. Jay Inslee on Jan. 18, the sites are located in Kennewick, Ridgefield, Spokane and Wenatchee. They will be open by appointment only to people who are eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1A or 1B-1. Read the full news release here.

Fastest way to make vaccine appointments. Due to the hotline’s high call volume, the fastest service is self-service.

• Use Phase Finder to see if you’re eligible to get vaccinated. (It’s OK to ask a friend or family member for help.)
• If you’re currently eligible, you will get a confirmation. Print or take a screenshot of this page. If you signed up for emails, it will also be sent to you automatically.
• Phase Finder will show you locations where you can get the vaccine. Use the link provided to schedule your appointment. (Phase Finder does not schedule appointments – it only gives you a list of places where you can schedule an appointment.)
• Take the eligibility confirmation from Phase Finder with you to your appointment.

Washingtonians without internet access, or who may not be comfortable using online tools, can call the COVID-19 hotline for help making appointments for three of the mass vaccination sites. Please note: The hotline does not have special access to appointments — they use the same scheduling tools available to the public for self-scheduling.

First cases of U.K. COVID-19 strain found in two counties in Washington state. The UW Medicine Virology Lab detected two cases of the COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7 or SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 in specimens collected from two Snohomish County residents. Although these are the first detected B.1.1.7 variants in the state, it is likely that other cases exist and will come to light through ongoing surveillance. The variant was also discovered in Pierce County. Read the full news release here.

New “Roadmap to Recovery” dashboard now live; all regions to remain in phase 1 for now. DOH, in partnership with Microsoft AI for Health, has launched the new Roadmap to Recovery dashboard that provides a detailed overview of the metrics used for measuring regional progress. The metrics and corresponding thresholds help determine if it is safe for a region to enter into a new phase of reopening. Read the full news release here.

Update to K-12 schools guidance. DOH’s K-12 Schools Guidance has been updated with the addition of requirements for performing arts in the K-12 setting. The guidance is modeled after the National Federation of High School’s International Coalition of Performing Arts Aerosol Study Report 3 and also follows many of the recommendations set forth in Governor Inslee’s Roadmap to Recovery performing arts guidance.

Department of Health welcomes new leader of public-private vaccine effort. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced the appointment of Mr. Dan Laster as Director of the COVID-19 Vaccine Action Command and Coordination System (VACCS) Center to create public-private partnerships. In this role, Mr. Laster will tap into the unique capabilities and resources of the private sector to support vaccination efforts across the state of Washington. Read the full news release here.

Governor Inslee Jan. 26 press conference on COVID-19. Today Gov. Jay Inslee held a press conference at the state capitol to give an update on the 2021 legislative session and the state’s response to the ongoing pandemic, including vaccination efforts. Watch the recording here.