State recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates

||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 137,411 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on November 18. There have been 2,603 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.

Coping with COVID: It’s not just you. Dealing with COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone. As we move into fall, we face even more challenges: changing weather, schoolwork, holidays and gatherings, and strong political opinions. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? It’s not just you. The things you’re feeling and experiencing are normal during a disaster, and there are things you can do to cope.

To help you navigate this unprecedented time, we are bringing you a series of conversations with experts on many of the topics we’re facing daily. In episode one, Coping with COVID: It’s not just you, Kira Mauseth and Doug Dicharry talk about how disasters like pandemic affect our brains, what we can do about it, and how to be resilient.

Read the blog and listen to the podcast here.

November 18 COVID-19 response update media briefing recording available. This week’s briefing with leaders from the Department of Health and health care is available to watch here.

Inslee announces cap on third-party delivery fees to help restaurants. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a new cap on fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates and others.

The proclamation caps delivery fees at 15% and total fees at 18% of the purchase price of an order. Third party delivery platforms have seen increased usage as fewer people are dining indoors this year due to health restrictions and concerns over contracting COVID-19. The proclamation takes effect Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 12:01 a.m. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 Long-term Care Report. As of November 16, a total of 9,257 COVID-19 cases (7% of total cases) and 1,389 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). Read the full report here.

• 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.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan update. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts, and are hopeful a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 will be available before the end of the year. Read the full news release here.

COVID-19 vaccine administrator enrollment. Health care providers began enrolling earlier this month to be COVID-19 vaccine administrators. As of November 16, 375 providers have turned in applications. DOH encourages clinics, pharmacies and health care offices across the state to apply to be vaccine administration sites. If you are a health care provider and want to enroll, learn how and get enrollment materials at www.covidvaccinewa.org.

Amid new COVID-19 restrictions, Department of Licensing offices remain open by appointment only. Public-facing Department of Licensing (DOL) offices, including driver licensing offices and prorate and fuel tax counters, remain open by appointment only. Drive testing and knowledge testing also are ongoing. Read more in DOL’s latest blog post here.

Eviction moratorium in place through Dec. 31. Proclamation 20-19.3 has been extended through Dec. 31, extending a statewide moratorium on evictions. Tenants are responsible for rent and past-due rent, but late fees may not be assessed. The proclamation’s requirements are detailed on page four of the full text.