Statewide COVID-19 response updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Statewide Response Updates

Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 584,023 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 29. There have been 7,726 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 Washington Ready page.

Sept. 29 COVID-19 response update media briefing. Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 response. He was joined by Michele Roberts, acting assistant secretary, DOH; Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary, DOH; and Daniel Getz, DO, chief medical officer, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital. View the briefing.

New and updated long-term care facility guidance. These changes appear on DOH’s COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Health Care Settings page:

• Updated: Long-Term Care Facility Testing for Staff and Residents
  • More information on testing beyond routine testing, including testing when a COVID-19 case has been identified, and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waivers and reporting results.
• Updated: Interim Guidance for Transferring Residents between Long-Term Care and Other Health Care Settings
  • Updated to provide additional information for transfers, including guidance on fully vaccinated residents.
• New: Recommendations for Cohorting in Long-Term Care Facilities During a COVID-19 Outbreak 
  • Guidance created specifically for long-term care facility cohorting and isolation and quarantining, with up-to-date recommendations.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by vaccination status. This weekly report provides a brief overview of confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among those who are not fully vaccinated in Washington state. Read the full Sept. 29 report.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough surveillance and case information resource. This weekly report provides data and criteria on fully vaccinated people who test positive with SARS-CoV-2 and may or may not develop COVID-19 symptoms. Read the full Sept. 29 report.

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 Sept. 29 report.

Resources

Get a vaccine, exposure notifications, and testing. Use the DOH vaccine locator to help end the pandemic. Next, get WA Notify so you’ll know if you’ve been near another person who later tests positive for COVID-19. To get quickly and easily tested anywhere in Washington, visit the DOH COVID-19 testing locations page. For K-12 students, staff, and parents/guardians, learn more about our partnership that helps schools provide easy COVID-19 testing on site.

Latest COVID-19 reopening guidance for businesses and workers. See a full list of current reopening guidance from the Governor’s Office.

Guidance and resources for employers and business owners. Sign up for the Economic Resiliency Team business and worker newsletter.

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 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

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. See resources and self-help tips from Washington Listens.