Recap of recent COVID-19 news, updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 369,481 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on April 26. There have been 5,462 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 Roadmap to Recovery Metrics dashboard. Note: A new data visualization tab has been added to the dashboard. In addition to data regarding current status, epidemiology curve, cumulative counts, demographics, testing, hospitalizations, and vaccinations, the new tab offers a picture into healthcare system readiness.

Washington state resumes use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. On April 24, DOH resumed use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine across the state. This decision was based on recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, as well as careful consideration and close review by DOH. Read the full news release here.

Updated guidance from DOH. COVID-19 Prevention Guidance and Reopening of Water Recreation Facilities in Phases includes new language defining a testing strategy to allow water polo in Phase 3.

COVID-19 morbidity and mortality by race, ethnicity, and age in Washington state. This bimonthly report provides an overview of confirmed or probable COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates by race and ethnicity at state and regional levels. It also provides counts and percentages of confirmed or probable cases and hospitalizations by primary language spoken. Read the full April 23 report 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 April 21 report here.

2021 legislative sessions ends with historic wins for climate, COVID relief. Gov. Inslee’s focus of the 2021 session was “relief, recovery and resilience,” and the legislature passed a life-saving $2.2 billion COVID-19 relief bill, a Working Families Tax Credit, and climate legislation that will both improve public health and increase economic opportunity while fighting the climate crisis. Read the full news release here.

SBA announces official restaurant revitalization fund application and guidelines. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced details on application requirements and eligibility for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the SBA. Learn more here.

DCYF spring 2021 Child Care COVID-19 grant portal open. To ensure a stable, functional, and flexible child care system that supports providers and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is providing direct support to licensed child care providers to offset increased costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure child care services are available to families. All licensed child care providers ready and able to serve children are eligible to apply. Learn more here.

Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund opens for new applications. Applications are being accepted for the next round of assistance under the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. These one-time $1,000 grants help workers who don’t qualify for other types of unemployment or pandemic assistance due to their immigration status.

Eligible community members can apply by visiting immigrantreliefwa.org, or by calling the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network at 844-724-3737, which is staffed every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.