||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF. HEALTH |||
Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 336,547 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on March 24. There have been 5,213 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 Road to Recovery Metrics dashboard.
Thursday, March 25, 2021, data note: Today’s hospitalizations data are incomplete due to data reporting issues. We expect to be able to make a full update tomorrow. Total case counts may include up to 140 duplicates. Negative test results data from Nov. 21–30, 2020, are incomplete. Thus, negative test results and percent positivity (Testing tab) for that period, case counts, and hospitalizations should be interpreted with caution. Otherwise, the incomplete time frames presented in the dashboard are correct and up to date. 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.
COVID-19 data show some signs of increasing activity. The latest DOH statewide situation report shows the state’s progress in fighting COVID-19 since early January is slowing. These trends are cause for significant concern as variants of the virus that spread more easily and cause more serious illness become more widespread in the state. Read the full news release here.
Updates to K-12 school guidance from DOH. Changes to the current K-12 guidance take effect immediately and include the following:
- Updated language to align with CDC recommendations to require at least three feet of physical distancing between students in certain situations.
- Updated Performing Arts section to align with Theatre and Performing Arts guidance.
- Removal of any reference to the DOH K-12 Metrics and Toolkit.
DOH has updated the list of Authorized Vaccinators per the PREP Act Guidance expansion, allowing some new providers to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s March 25 press conference. The governor discussed the 2021 legislative session and the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including schools. He was joined by Lacy Fehrenbach, DOH deputy secretary for COVID-19 response, and Nick Streuli, executive director of external affairs, Office of the Governor. View the press conference here.
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 U.S. and our state. It provides a statewide view of sequencing capacity and data, including breakouts by county and demographics. Read the full March 25 report here.
Case investigation and contact tracing metrics for DOH centralized investigations. This weekly report shows the timeliness of reaching COVID-19 confirmed and probable cases and their contacts for case investigations and contact tracing activities. Read the full March 24 report here.
State to launch new round of Working Washington small business grants on March 29. Applications submitted by April 9 will be considered. Business owners can find a link to the application portal and more information at commercegrants.com. Materials in 16 languages will be available on the site in the coming days.
This is the fourth round of the Working Washington grant program. Legislators approved $240 million for the current round as part of an early action bill that also provided additional funding for rent assistance and other COVID-19 response efforts.
Read the full news release here.
SBA launches portal to begin accepting shuttered venue operators grant applications on April 8. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal and will host a webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities on March 30.
The SVOG program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, which appropriated $15 billion for it. The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, appropriated an additional $1.25 billion, bringing the program funding to a total of $16.25 billion, with more than $16 billion allocated for grants.
Read the full news release here.
SBA extends deferment period for all COVID-19 EIDL and other disaster loans until 2022. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. Read the full news release here.
Resources
Latest COVID-19 reopening guidance for businesses and workers. A full list of current reopening guidance from the Governor’s Office is available here.
Find a COVID-19 testing location near you. To make it easier to find a test near you, the DOH has created a webpage to help people find COVID-19 testing locations throughout the state.
Guidance and resources for employers and business owners. Sign up for the weekly Economic Resiliency Team business and worker newsletter here.
The state COVID-19 Assistance Hotline is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127, then press # or text 211-211 for help. New hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211
Washington Listens helps people manage stress and anxiety they may be experiencing because of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org.
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