Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 1,266 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 44,313, as of July 15 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,427.

Today’s increase of 1,266 new cases includes a backlog of about 300 cases from Yakima County. Despite the backlog, this increase suggests that community spread is accelerating. DOH is also reporting an increase of 115 hospitalizations today. This reflects a backlog following the agency’s data migration from last weekend. The 7-day average counts indicate hospitalization numbers continue to increase as well.

For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

“We don’t have a vaccine but we have each other.” Inslee renews restrictions on social gatherings and live entertainment, warns of potential next steps to combat spread of COVID-19. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that beginning Monday, July 20, social gatherings in Phase 3 counties will be reduced to no more than 10 people outside a person’s household per week. Counties in modified Phase 1 and Phase 2 remain restricted at 5 people per week. The new rules do not apply to weddings or funeral services. He also said that live entertainment – both indoors and outdoors – will no longer be allowed.

The governor implored Washingtonians to take seriously the need to look for out each other by minimizing social gatherings and remaining vigilant about physical distancing and use of face coverings. He warned that “we cannot rule out the potential for another ‘Stay Home’ order” if transmission rates don’t decrease soon.

Inslee and the state’s leading health officials point to data showing COVID-19 activity is continuing to climb. The increase in younger adults is especially alarming. Young people made up 22 percent of cases through March, but currently make up 45 percent of cases. In a media briefing yesterday, Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state’s health officer, pointed out that average case counts have increased from about 373 during the spring to a current high of about 620. You can read the story here or watch today’s media briefing on TVW.

Additional $600 in federal benefit for unemployed workers set to end July 25. Unless Congress acts to extend or adjust it, the additional $600 per week in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Program (FPUC) benefits, available under the federal CARES Act, will stop after next week. FPUC is entirely federally funded and available only at federal discretion. As of July 11, the state’s Employment Security Department has distributed $4.4 million in FPUC benefits. Read the full release here, and then visit WorkSourceWA.com for information about local WorkSource offices as well as job listings and resources for job seekers and employers.

State continues delivering face coverings to people who need them. Building off the effort to provide free face coverings to all Washingtonians with incomes at or below 200% federal poverty level, the state is also working with industry leaders to make sure masks are getting to workers who need them. Last week, the state teamed up with the Washington Farm Bureau to distribute 500,000 cloth face coverings to agriculture workers. Thanks to the many local partners and organizations helping to #MaskUpWA.

Inslee extends proclamations related to COVID-19. Gov. Jay Inslee has extended several proclamations this week including visitation and remedial services, shared work, temporary licensing for dental and pharmacy graduates and truck driver hours.  A July 14 letter from the Legislature extends proclamations 20-33.7, 20-58 and 20-59 until August 1. The extension of the state waiver of truck driver hours restrictions is through August 14, 2020.

Washington National Guard joins ESD team to deliver unemployment benefits to Washingtonians. More than 40 members of the Washington National Guard have helped clear a backlog of Employment Security Department cases. Their efforts have led to more people getting paid their benefits and soldiers and airmen helping detect fraud.

“We are usually called to support floods, fires and other types of missions like that, but this is a first working with the ESD,” said Maj. Katie Wade, the officer in charge at the ESD site. “2020 is truly the year of the Guard. We are being utilized in so many different ways and our folks are doing a great job.” Read the full story here, and check past stories on the state National Guard’s work supporting food banks and COVID-19 mapping and contact tracing.