Recent COVID-19 news, updates from State Health Dept.

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 355,387 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on April 14. There have been 5,362 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 Roadmap to Recovery Metrics dashboard. Note: A new data visualization tab has been added to the dashboard. In addition to data regarding current status, epidemiology curve, cumulative counts, demographics, testing, hospitalizations, and vaccinations, the new tab will offer a picture into healthcare system readiness.

Eligibility expands to everyone 16 and older in Washington state. Starting April 15, everyone 16 and older who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can receive one in Washington. More than 2.67 million people have received at least one dose, and more than 23 percent of Washingtonians are fully vaccinated. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution update. As of April 10, more than 4,189,884 doses of vaccine have been given across the state, which is more than 82 percent of the 5,094,380 doses that have been delivered to our providers and long-term care programs. We’re currently averaging 57,577 vaccine doses given each day, and more than 22 percent of people in Washington are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Read the full news release here.

Update on vaccine breakthrough cases in Washington state. DOH reports a total of 217 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals in Washington state as of April 3. That is an increase from the 102 cases we first reported on March 30. Breakthrough cases have now been identified in 24 of Washington’s 39 counties. Read the full news release here.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s April 15 press conference. The governor provided an update on the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was joined by Lacy Fehrenbach, DOH deputy secretary of health. View the press conference here.

New and updated guidance documents from DOH now available:

Child Care, Youth Development, and Day Camps During COVID-19

• Updated physical distancing, cohorts, and sensory materials recommendations
• Updated program types that are included and not included in this document
• Added a new section providing information on reporting cases and working with local public health

COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs for Critical Workers’ Employers

• Common questions and answers about COVID-19 vaccination from employers in workplace (non-health care) settings

DOH SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and variant report. This weekly report summarizes genome sequencing coverage of Washington SARS-CoV-2 specimens from multiple laboratories from across the United States and our state. It provides a statewide view of sequencing capacity and data, including breakouts by county and demographics. Read the full April 14 report here.

COVID-19 long-term care report. As of April 12, a total of 19,423 COVID-19 cases and 2,596 deaths have been identified as associated or likely associated with a long-term care facility (such as nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult family home). These cases include residents as well as employees and visitors. Read the full April 13 report here.

Inslee issues proclamation on the Family Emergency Assistance Program (FEAP). The proclamation allows for the expansion of the FEAP to assist families who continue to suffer economic hardship during the pandemic. Read the full news release here.