Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

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

New, county-based, safe start plan announced today. Gov. Jay Inslee announced today an updated county-by-county Safe Start plan. The plan outlines new targets and metrics for containing COVID-19 activity and how counties can apply to the state Department of Health with a plan to safely reopen additional sectors of public life. The secretary of health may approve a county moving in whole to the next phase, or may only approve certain activities in the next phase. Our county variance page and Safe Start page will be updated soon with more information. Full news release here.

Remember: A successful Safe Start depends on everyone continuing to do their part. As the state gradually reopens, it’s still safest to stay home. But if you do go out, remember to wear a mask, stay six feet apart and wash your hands frequently. It’s more important than ever to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 across county lines by staying local.

State Employment Security Department has recovered more than $300 million in  fraudulent claims. ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine yesterday spoke with media to talk about the agency’s efforts to quickly process tens of thousands of outstanding claims as well as the agency’s efforts to combat fraudulent claims. LeVine said efforts with federal law enforcement and banks have resulted in the recovery of more than $300 million in stolen funds. Read the story.

MIS-C case count update. As of May 28, Washington state is reporting four cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Benton Franklin Health District and Yakima Health District each announced one case yesterday, adding to two cases announced by DOH last week. Earlier this month, DOH asked health care providers in Washington state to report possible cases to local health.

Some state camping opens Monday. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State public lands managers to reopen campgrounds in 22 counties beginning Monday, June 1. Counties reopening for camping are all actively in Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s ‘Safe Start’ plan and have also been approved for camping by county officials. The public should check the State Parks website for details and reservations.

**Phase updates for counties. A total of 26 counties have now been approved to move to Phase 2: Adams, Asotin, Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, and Whitman.

Klickitat County remains eligible to apply for a variance to move to Phase 2. The application from Clark County remains on pause due to an outbreak investigation.

The latest information on COVID-19 county variance applications is available here. 

**Correction: A version of this bulletin sent at 5:57 PM PDT 5/29/20 incorrectly stated that 24 counties had been approved for Phase 2. On 5/28/20 DOH shared this news release announcing Clallam and Kitsap had been approved to move to Phase 2. 

COVID-19 transmission increasing in eastern Washington, decreasing in western Washington. The latest statewide modeling report estimates the effective reproductive number – the measure of how many new infections a single COVID-19 case will produce – for different parts of the state. It also explores mobility, demographic and employment data that may help explain some of the differences we’re seeing in COVID-19 trends for each county. The report is based on data from May 3-12.

Findings are specific to that time period and include:

• The reproductive number varied in different parts of the state. The report estimates the average reproductive number was below one in western Washington and above one in eastern Washington.
• Excluding Yakima County, the estimated reproductive number for eastern Washington was fractionally above one.
• The majority of cases were reported in King and Yakima counties.
• New case counts were trending downwards in King County and were steadily increasing in Yakima County.
• Yakima, Douglas, and Chelan counties had the highest number of cases relative to their population.

County rates will have changed in the most recent data, including data under review for county variance applications. 

Businesses ignoring pandemic closure orders can be cited and fined. Washington businesses that decide to open or operate in direct violation of Gov. Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order may be cited and fined for unsafe workplace conditions under emergency rules filed today by the state Department of Labor & Industries. Read article.

Washington State Labor and Industries offers free on-site or remote safety consultations for business to create safety programs for workplaces. See the Department of Labor and Industries’ website for more information.

Resources

You are not alone. Isolation is not good for us. We need each other for support and for fun, especially when we are dealing with the stress of a pandemic, financial uncertainties, and worries about our health or our loved ones’ health. The phased approach to opening the state—slow and careful to make sure we control the spread of the virus—is important not just for our economic growth but also for our mental health. Remember to take care of your body and your brain. Do something fun, connect with others and keep in touch with people who care for you. Don’t try to do everything today. If you are feeling overwhelmed, decide what must get done today and what can wait.

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. 

211 can’t provide test results: 211 operators cannot access medical information like test results. Providers and point of testing locations/vendors are people’s first stop to follow-up about testing results.

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.