Statewide COVID-19 updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Statewide Response Updates

Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 544,899 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 13. In all, there have been 7,037 deaths in Washington due to COVID-19.

For the most recent data on cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard and the state’s Washington Ready page. 

Behavioral health guidance for back to school. DOH is providing a new resource, the COVID-19 Back-to-Classroom THINK Toolbox, to help with adjusting to the return of in-person school and learning. Read the full news release.

New and updated DOH guidance documents:

• The NEW Supplemental Considerations to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools document contains additional best practices for schools beyond the requirements in the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year document – including information on testing strategies available to schools and how to work with local public health to respond to cases.
  • Within the Schools and Child Care section on the COVID-19 Resources and Recommendations page is a NEW Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Toolkit with individual, editable letter templates.
• Guidance for Child Care, Youth Development, and Day Camps During COVID-19 has been updated in alignment with the K-12 Supplemental Considerations document.
• COVID-19 Recommendations for Higher Education: Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 Academic Year has been updated in accordance with the governor’s proclamation and secretary of health’s order.
• Preventing Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 During Aerosol Generating and Other Procedures has also been updated. This guidance update was requested by school nurses and will be helpful in informing their safe operations when conducting these procedures in a school setting. Please note this guidance also pertains to all health care settings, not just school nurse offices.

Inslee amends Washington Ready proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee amended the Washington Ready emergency order to require facial coverings for large outdoor events with 500 or more individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Read the full news release.

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.

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

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

The state COVID-19 Assistance Hotline is for general COVID-19 information and questions. Call 1-800-525-0127, then press # or text 211-211 for help. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and on state holidays. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to  211-211 to receive links to the latest COVID-19 information on your phone, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses and students.

Washington Listens support line helps people manage stress and anxiety. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress right now, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211 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 your preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are also available on walistens.org.