||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||
Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 91,918 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 7. There have been 2,183 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.
Recording of Gov. Inslee’s press conference on COVID-19 available. Today the governor was joined by Dept. of Commerce Director Lisa Brown, State Health Officer Kathy Lofy, and Agung Soetamin, general manager of S and J Food Distributors in Tacoma. A recording of the press conference is available from TVW here.
Update on vaccine planning from Washington State Department of Health. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is making steady progress making plans around an expected COVID-19 vaccine. DOH is committed to science and the need to critically evaluate these new vaccines for their safety and efficacy in an unbiased way before their use. We will be watching the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process closely to make sure it is thorough and transparent. Read the full news release here.
October 7 COVID-19 response update media briefing recording available. This week’s COVID-19 response update media briefing with leaders from the governor’s office and DOH is available to watch here.
Businesses face fines for coronavirus mask violations, but most are complying. Since mid-July, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has looked into mask complaints concerning more than 4,200 retailers, restaurants and other businesses in the state. In the vast majority of cases, the businesses that were violating the rules complied after L&I staff explained the requirements, or the initial complaints to the state were not substantiated.
L&I can cite employers who refuse to follow masking and other requirements. The agency has fined eight companies for violating the state public mask mandate and endangering their workers’ health. Three others were cited after public mask complaints led to L&I finding worker mask violations. Read the full news release here.
Extended foster care eviction and rent assistance. The Washington State Department of Commerce: Office of Homeless Youth allocated $1 million in CARES Act funding to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to provide stipends to young adults who will age out or have aged out of Extended Foster Care at age 21, between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020.
The purpose of the funding is to support housing stability for youth who exited the Extended Foster Care Program at age 21. Read more here.
COVID-19 long-term care report. As of October 5, a total of 7,520 COVID-19 cases (8% of total cases) and 1,184 deaths (55% of total deaths) have been identified as associated with a long-term care facility (i.e., nursing home, assisted living facility or adult family home). Read the full report here.
- These cases include residents as well as employees and visitors. Not all of these cases were exposed at a LTC facility.
- Many cases visited multiple places during their exposure period, and some individuals may have visited a LTC facility after disease onset.
Weekly statewide COVID-19 outbreak report now available. The report summarizes outbreaks in health care, non-health care, and long-term care settings. Read the full report here.
OSPI: Eligible families strongly encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meal programs. While all students may be provided free meals through the end of December, it is still critical that eligible families complete the application this fall.
Many students across Washington state rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs. As the economic impacts of COVID-19 continue, more families are taking advantage of free meals provided by school districts.
Families are strongly encouraged to complete a School Meal Application now, which determines a student’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals. Read more here.
Reminder: Seasonal and holiday activities open to the public must comply with safety requirements. Seasonal events like pumpkin patches and small festivals, even if operated by nonprofits, must comply with relevant business activity guidance.
Resources
Latest COVID-19 reopening guidance for businesses and workers. A full list of current reopening guidance is available here.
Find a COVID-19 testing location near you. To make it easier to find a test near you, the Department of Health 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 weekly business and worker newsletter here.
Washington 211 COVID-19 call center is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211
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.
