Recent recap of COVID-19 news, updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 96,185 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 14. There have been 2,232 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.

Statewide COVID-19 vaccine distribution progress update. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. The agency is working with the federal government and local partners within Washington to plan for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. Read the full news release here.

Inslee extends eviction moratorium, public utilities proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extensions of the eviction moratorium and public utility proclamations as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.

Both proclamations were extended to December 31. Read the full news release here.

October 14 COVID-19 response update media briefing recording available. This week’s COVID-19 response update media briefing with leaders from the governor’s office and DOH is available to watch here.

COVID-19 transmission increasing in western Washington, rates flat but higher in eastern Washington. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission. Read the full news release here.

Report findings include:

• Transmission is increasing in western Washington and recently plateauing in eastern Washington.
• The situation in eastern Washington is unstable and efforts to control the spread of the virus must be strictly maintained or intensified to avoid a backslide.

• Case counts in western Washington are increasing across all age groups and over broad geographic areas.
• Recent growth in cases is widely distributed across a number of counties.
• Trends are also mixed in counties with flat or decreasing case counts.

State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy announces future plans. State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy is publicly announcing that she will be resigning her position at the Department of Health later this year. Dr. Lofy’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic has been key to the successes DOH has made as a state not only in responding to the crisis, but offering key advice to leaders and to the people of Washington on how to stay safe. Read the full news release here.

Safer Gatherings: The COVID chat. Whether you want to draw boundaries, are feeling tempted to push others out of their comfort zone, or just need some ways to figure out if an upcoming event meets your standards for safety, here’s some help.

• Respectfully say “no.” Saying no to people you love is never easy. Be clear, offer alternatives, and be honest. Don’t feel pressured to keep the conversation going.
• Respect others’ boundaries. Hearing “no” from family and friends can be hard. It helps to remember they feel bad too — no one enjoys turning down invitations. Show you care, and learn where they are coming from.
• Establish ground rules. To avoid surprises, hurt feelings, or situations where you feel unsafe, be sure to set expectations in advance. Be clear about your boundaries. Gather your thoughts, and consider alternative activities you could suggest. Keep responses simple, and don’t feel pressured to negotiate.

For more information and tips on having the COVID chat, visit coronavirus.wa.gov/gatherings.

It’s more important than ever to get a flu vaccine this year. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, autumn brings with it another unwanted visitor – the flu. The presence of both viruses could put more people in the hospital and strain Washington’s health care system. While we don’t yet have a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, we do have one to prevent flu.

For help finding a health care provider or vaccine location, and to learn more about flu, visit www.KnockOutFlu.org.

COVID-19 Long-term Care Report. As of October 12, a total of 7,695 COVID-19 cases (8% of total cases) and 1,203 deaths (55% of total deaths) have been identified as associated with a long-term care facility (i.e., nursing home, assisted living facility or adult family home).

• These cases include residents as well as employees and visitors. Not all of these cases were exposed at a LTC facility.
• Many cases visited multiple places during their exposure period, and some individuals may have visited a LTC facility after disease onset.