Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Statewide Response Updates

Numbers. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health’s website.

Data Update May 22, 2020. We want to highlight two important data issues on the testing tab. The first is that about 11,000 negative lab results have not yet been entered into our data system. The second is that about 27% of negative test results do not have an assigned county. These two issues are impacting some counties disproportionately, including Skagit and Whatcom. The impact is an artificial elevation of the percent positive in those counties. DOH is working to resolve these two issues.

COVID-19 Response Update scheduled Tuesday May 26, 2020 at 12:30. Dr. Scott Lindquist, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, Washington State Department of Health will provide an update on farmworker and factory outbreak investigations. There will be a Spanish language Q+A immediately following the update from 1:30 – 1:45 p.m. PDT. 

Register here with your name, email, phone and news organization.

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. We will control muting from our side. You do not need to mute yourself. When we call on you, announce your name and news organization. Please do not ask if we can hear you. For ideal audio quality, download the WebEx Meetings Application.

Progression of Safe Start. Today Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved the variance applications for Adams, Grays Harbor, Lewis, and Spokane counties to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan.

The governor released a statement today after the Washington State Department of Health announced additional counties are eligible to move to Phase 2.

“We are making good progress as we continue to open Washington in segments. Currently, one-third of our state is now eligible to move into Phase 2. We are hard at work to determine next steps as we move closer to the May 31 expiration of my current order. As I have repeatedly said before, these are decisions that are driven by public health data and science, not the calendar.

“To be clear: this does not mean that we will be able to open every county in the state on June 1. Counties that continue to have large numbers of infections are not in a position to open up stores, restaurants and services safely.” 

Background: Two week incidence by county (as of 5/22/2020)

Proclamation extension. Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of one proclamation today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A May 21, 2020, letter from the Legislature extends proclamation 20-49.1 until May 27. Garnishment and Accrual of Interest(20-49.2) suspends statutes that permit collection of consumer debt judgments, including bank account and wage garnishments and waives accrual of post-judgment interest on consumer debt judgments during the period of this order. This order is designed to protect consumer assets, including federal stimulus checks, from consumer debt collections.

Two cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) in Washington state. Seattle & King County are confirming two cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. These are the only cases reported in Washington state residents to date. Following increased reports of previously healthy children presenting with a severe inflammatory syndrome with Kawasaki disease-like symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory last Thursday.

“Parents who have concerns about possible COVID-19 in their children should contact their healthcare provider promptly,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Identifying this syndrome early is important because treatments are available for the serious complications.” Full news release available here.

Inslee letter requests extension of National Guard mission. More than 1,200 soldiers and airmen are supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. As of May 20, 2020, the Washington National Guard has delivered more than 1 million meals to struggling families at food banks across the state, tested nearly 2,300 people at community-based testing sites, and built more than 30,000 test kits. Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today to the Trump administration requesting an extension of authority and additional funding for Washington National Guard employment in support of COVID-19 pandemic emergency response operations through July 31, 2020.

Resources

Take control of your social media. For a lot of us, the amount of time we spend on social media has gone up as we’ve done our best to stay home and physically distanced from our friends and family. Sometimes, spending extra time on social media can cause worry, anxiety, and a feeling of exhaustion. Limit the amount of time you spend on social media, follow things that make you happy, share what you would want to see, and spread facts not fear.

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.