Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Numbers: As of May 17, there are 18,611 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 660 cases in the past 72 hours. Visit the Department of Health’s website for cases by county, demographics, and more.

Statewide Response Updates

Briefing schedule: Reminder that regular briefings will continue to happen on Tuesdays at 2:30 but we will no longer hold the regular Thursday briefings. Rest assured we will continue to keep you updated on any emergent issues.

Tuesday May 19, 2020 COVID-19 Update Telebriefing: Media outlets register here. If you would like to ask a question, you must register and log in to the teleconference via WebEx, and send an email to WAJIC@mil.wa.gov with subject line Briefing Question. You do not need to include your question in the email. We will call on and unmute individual reporters for questions, and will not open the phone line or take questions submitted by chat. We will prioritize questions from Washington state press. For ideal audio quality, download the WebEx Meetings Application.

Proclamation and extensions: Gov. Jay Inslee addressed media today via streaming video and telephone about the state’s plan to reopen the health care system. The governor was joined by Bill Robertson, president and CEO, MultiCare; Sally Watkins, executive director, Washington State Nurses Association; and Vice Admiral Dr. Raquel Bono, director, Washington state COVID-19 health care response. The Governor issued a proclamation that allows for the reopening of all health care services, including dental procedures, as long as they are able to comply with health and safety requirements. The reopening for providers who are able to meet the protocols is in effect at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18. Additional guidance will be available soon on the Governor’s Reopening Guidance webpage.

Transmission continues within the state: A new statewide report shows COVID-19 transmission is persisting in western Washington and slowly increasing in eastern Washington. The measure of how many new infections a single COVID-19 case will produce – known as the effective reproductive number – has not changed significantly in either region since the last statewide report, and continues to be higher than ideal.

Asotin County approved to move to phase 2: Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved the variance application for Asotin County to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan. This brings the total to 10 counties. The variance requests are reviewed by the secretary of health, who can approve the plans as submitted, approve with modifications or deny the application. If circumstances change within the jurisdiction, the variance can be revoked.

The state is still considering additional options to support different regional needs in reopening. Learn more about county variances and the statewide response to COVID-19 at coronavirus.wa.gov.

King County directive urges face coverings in public places: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will require face coverings for all visitors and passengers beginning Monday. A face covering is not needed when you are outside walking, exercising, or otherwise outdoors if you are able to regularly stay 6 feet away from other people who do not live with you. Get more information about the directive here.

Secretary of Health to resign 2021: Washington State Department of Health Secretary of Health John Wiesman submitted his resignation to Governor Inslee on March 1, 2020 to be effective at the end of the Governor’s second term on January 10, 2021. Prior to the start of the COVID-19 response, Secretary Wiesman accepted a faculty appointment at the University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global Public Health beginning July 2021. More information here.

Resources

Finding sweetness at a tough time: Resilience is the skill that allows us to adapt to a crisis while it is happening and then emerge emotionally stronger than before. This public health crisis is a time of stress, worry, grief. Some of us have lost people we love. Physical isolation wears on us and it can feel never-ending. Try focusing on what brings you strength and joy, and practice compassion for yourself and others. Mindfulness and meditation app Headspace is offering one-year Headspace Plus subscriptions to all unemployed people in the United States. The app offers mindfulness content, resources and toolkits for businesses and parents shifting to remote working and learning. Headspace Plus subscriptions are also free for all health care providers working in a public health setting, as well as all K-12 educators.

Washington 211 COVID-19 Call Center: Do you need information or answers to your questions and concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You can call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more. 

Interested in volunteering during disasters and significant events like COVID-19? Register with the Washington State Emergency Registry of Volunteers (WAserv) to partner with public health and others who need assistance in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.