Recap of recent COVID-19 news, statewide response updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 322,487 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on March 1. There have been 4,988 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 2, 2021, data note: 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.

DOH statement on federal school and childcare vaccination plan. Today, President Biden announced a directive to get every pre-K, K-12 teacher, and childcare worker at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine in the month of March. This announcement represents a faster timeline than originally planned, and DOH is engaging partners on a robust plan to support this directive. Read the full news release here.

More than 70,000 COVID-19 vaccines given at state-led mass vaccination sites. Thanks to the hard work of DOH staff, the Washington National Guard, and local and private sector partners, 70,774 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at the four state-led mass vaccination sites as of Feb. 27. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 vaccination demographics data added to dashboard. DOH added data on vaccination by race, ethnicity, and age to the COVID-19 dashboard. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 prevention efforts remain critical despite declining trends. DOH’s Feb. 24 statewide situation report on COVID-19 reported declining trends, but also some concerning signs that make it critical to maintain and strengthen prevention measures, according to health officials. Read the full news release 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 Feb. 26 report here.

COVID-19 long-term care report: As of Feb. 22, a total of 18,589 COVID-19 cases and 2,440 deaths have been identified as associated or likely associated with a long-term care facility (i.e., nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult family home). These cases include residents as well as employees and visitors. Read the full Feb. 26 report here.

COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington state K-12 schools: This monthly report describes COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools that were reported to DOH. A total of 115 outbreaks occurred in K-12 school between Aug. 1, 2020, and Jan. 31, 2021; 425 COVID-19 cases were associated with outbreaks in K-12 schools. Read the full Feb. 26 report here.

Inslee statement on Biden educator and licensed childcare workers vaccination directive. Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement today following President Biden’s directive that all states must prioritize vaccinations of teachers and childcare workers. Read the full news release here.

Inslee announces proclamations on COVID-19 and winter weather, updates air travel proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee updated proclamation 20-83 regarding quarantine requirements for air travel and released a new proclamation related to Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) remote public hearings and the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full news release here.