Recapping recent COVID-19 news, updates from Tuesday

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 266,701 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on January 11. There have been 3,789 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.

January 12, 2021 data note: Total case counts may include up to 550 duplicates and negative test results data are incomplete from November 21-30, 2020 and December 29 through today. Today’s positive test results data are also incomplete; we expect to resume regular reporting tomorrow. Thus, percent positivity (Testing tab) and case counts should be interpreted with caution. The Epidemiologic Curves tab is the most accurate representation of COVID activity and is updated daily as new cases are identified and duplicates are resolved. Today’s unusually high number of reported deaths is due to a backlog from January 8, 2021 through today.

Weekly COVID-19 response media briefing tomorrow at noon. The weekly COVID-19 response media briefing with leaders from the state’s COVID-19 response will be Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 12:00 p.m. TVW will livestream the briefing here.

Department of Health announces all regions will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, Jan. 18. Based on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan released last week, all eight regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.

As outlined in the governor’s COVID-19 phased recovery plan, regions must meet each of the following four metrics in order to move into Phase 2.

• Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100k population.
• Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
• Less than 90% Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy.
• COVID-19 test positivity of less than 10%.

DOH will reassess all the metrics each week and announce any changes to current phase status every Friday. For more detailed information on where each of the eight regions fall with regards to the four metrics visit the DOH website. Read the full news release here.

Get a text, click the link: New texts from DOH will speed exposure notification across the state. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will now text a verification code to every person in Washington state who tests positive for COVID-19. The goal is to help WA Notify exposure notification users alert fellow users faster if they’ve been exposed.

People who test positive for COVID-19 will still receive notification from their health care provider or testing facility, but everyone who tests positive will now also receive a text. That text includes a link to activate a verification code within WA Notify, and anonymously alert users they may have been exposed.

Read the full news releases here.

Inslee signs Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee Monday signed the “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” proclamation, which he had initially announced last week.

The new plan, which follows a regional approach, will ease some restrictions while focusing on the health and safety of all Washingtonians. The plan outlines the metrics that will be used to determine phases for each region, and the Department of Health will evaluate these metrics weekly and announce any changes to current phase status every Friday.

The proclamation is effective immediately and extends through the COVID-19 state of emergency. Read the full “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan here. Guidance for businesses and employees is available here.

Emergency order on telehealth coverage extended to Feb. 7. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until Feb. 7 and requires health insurers to:

• Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and Go-to-Meeting.
• Cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory illnesses billed during a provider visit for COVID-19 with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.
• Treat drive-up testing sites for COVID-19 as provider visit with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.

Read the full news release here.