Recapping recent COVID-19 news, statewide response updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 134,121 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on November 16. There have been 2,571 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 COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

Inslee appoints Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH new secretary of health. Gov. Jay Inslee today appointed Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH as the new Washington state secretary of health starting December 21. Dr. Shah currently serves as executive director and local health authority for Harris County Public Health in Texas. Read the full news release here.

Governor Jay Inslee held a press conference today to announce the new state Department of Health secretary. The governor was joined by Dr. Umair A. Shah, the incoming secretary of health, and Dr. Kathy Lofy, state health officer. A recording of the press conference is available from TVW here.

Inslee announces statewide restrictions for four weeks. Gov. Jay Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in Washington and across the country.

The restrictions are statewide and took effect Monday, November 16 at 11:59 PM and will remain in effect until Monday, December 14. The modified restrictions of restaurants, however, will take effect Wednesday, November 18 at 12:01 AM.

Read the rest of the story on the governor’s Medium page. The full proclamation is available here. The full guidance page is available here.

[ays_poll id=3]

Inslee issues travel advisory for Washington. Gov. Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel and asked residents to stay close to home. Inslee joined California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus. Read the full news release here.

ICYMI: Inslee requests extension of National Guard mission for COVID-19 pandemic response. Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter on November 13 to the Trump administration requesting an extension of federal authority and funding for Washington National Guard employment in support of COVID-19 pandemic emergency response operations through March 31, 2020. The current federal funding authorization runs through Dec. 31.

Currently, more than 800 members of the Washington National Guard are continuing to support the state’s pandemic response, including more than 500 members who are supporting nearly 50 foodbanks across the state. To date, they have assembled and have helped deliver more than 3 million meals, or 62.3 million pounds of food, to struggling families.

Additional Guard personnel continue to help operate community-based test sites and build test kits. Together they have helped test nearly 61,000 individuals and assemble more than 300,000 test kits since the beginning of the pandemic.

• Read the full letter here
• July 13, 2020 letter requesting extension through end of December
• May 20, 2020 letter requesting extension through end of July

Behavioral health resources for businesses and workplaces. Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a surge in behavioral health symptoms across Washington, which is a trend is likely to continue. Several resources are available to help workers and employers understand these impacts and provide or locate support:

• COVID-19 Guidance for Building Resilience in the Workplace
• Behavioral Health Group Impact Reference Guide: Businesses and workers
• Ingredients of Resilience
• How to deal with grief or loss

Find more resources, including crisis hotlines, at the state COVID-19 well-being website.

Health insurance coverage is more important than ever – in person help still available during new statewide restrictions. The 2021 open enrollment period is underway, and Washingtonians are now signing up for health plans, including new Cascade Care health plans. After months of a global pandemic, needs have changed due to job loss, working from home, or family income changes. Individuals seeking health coverage can now shop more options this year, along with financial assistance, by visiting Washington Healthplanfinder to sign up for health and dental coverage. read the full news release here.

Fall child care COVID-19 grants available. To ensure a stable, functional and flexible child care system that supports providers and families during COVID-19, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is providing direct support to licensed child care providers for stabilization, to assist with reopening and staying open, to offset increased costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to incentivize providers to serve school-age children. Learn more here.

November 15 Governor Inslee press conference on COVID-19. Gov. Jay Inslee provided an update on the state’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The governor was joined by infectious disease physician Dr. George Diaz, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Health Officer Kathy Lofy, and Spokane ICU nurse Clint Wallace. A recording of the press conference is available from TVW here.