Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Statewide Response Updates

Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 330,367 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on March 15. There have been 5,149 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.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, data note: The number of vaccine doses given was reported incorrectly yesterday, March 15, 2021. As of today, this has been corrected from 2,442,269 to 2,442,206 doses.

Negative test results data from Nov. 21-30, 2020, are incomplete. Thus, negative test results and percent positivity (Testing tab) for that period should be interpreted with caution. Otherwise, the incomplete time frames presented in the dashboard are correct and up to date. The Epidemiologic Curves tab is the most accurate representation of COVID-19 activity and is updated daily as new cases are identified.

State-led mass vaccination sites administer more than 110,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Thanks to the hard work of DOH staff, the Washington National Guard, and local and private sectors, a total of 111,072 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given out since Jan. 26. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 data show some concerning trends as well as promising signs for protection through vaccination. DOH released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 on March 12. Read the full news release here.

DOH guidance update for K-12 schools. This update applies to the current school year and includes aligning language with recent CDC announcements regarding masks and quarantine recommendations for those fully vaccinated. Information was added to sections on cleaning and disinfection, along with an update to physical distancing requirements for K-12 performing arts activities. Read the full guidance document here.

Statewide COVID-19 outbreak report. This weekly document provides an overview of reported COVID-19 outbreaks in our state, based on information in DOH’s Washington Disease Reporting System (WDRS). Read the full March 12 report here.

Inslee signs emergency proclamation requiring in-person education opportunities for public K-12 schools. Gov. Inslee’s emergency proclamation prohibits all public K-12 schools in Washington from failing to provide opportunities in both remote instruction and on-campus, in-person instruction. The proclamation aims to address educational inequities and mental health concerns among students due to prolonged remote education. Read the full news release here.

Gov. Inslee’s March 12 press conference. The governor discussed the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the reopening of K-12 schools. He was joined by Chris Reykdal (superintendent of public instruction); Dr. Nwando Anyaoku (director of pediatrics and chief health equity officer, Swedish Hospital, Seattle); Dr. Peter Asante (chair of pediatrics, Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital, Yakima); and Lacy Fehrenbach (deputy secretary for COVID response, Department of Health). View the press conference here.