Statewide recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 403,882 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on June 2. There have been 5,821 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 Roadmap to Recovery Metrics dashboard. 

COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from DOH. As of May 31, more than 7,071,595 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given across the state. Nearly 63 percent of people 16 and older have received at least one dose, and 54 percent of people in Washington 16 years and older are fully vaccinated. Read the full news release here.

DOH launches mobile vaccination service to support community organizations and increase vaccine access. A new mobile vaccine service called “Care-A-Van” will deliver vaccines to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Read the full news release here.

June 2 COVID-19 media briefing. Secretary of Health Umair Shah provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 response. He was joined by Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary of health; Michele Roberts, acting assistant secretary; Scott Lindquist, acting state health officer; and Joseph Seia, executive director, Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington. View the briefing here.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s June 3 press conference. The governor provided an update on the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To encourage unvaccinated Washingtonians to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Inslee announced a suite of incentives, including a “Shot of a Lifetime” giveaway series from the Washington State Lottery. He was joined by Marcus Glasper, director, Washington State Lottery; Umair Shah, secretary of health, Department of Health; and Nick Streuli, executive director of external affairs, Office of the Governor. View the press conference here.

Inslee announces update to business and employee guidance documents. Gov. Jay Inslee issued updates for most business and employee guidance documents to incorporate the new facial covering guidance from the CDC and DOH. Read the full news release here.

Updated DOH guidance document. COVID-19 Guidance for Active Screening of Employees at 24/7 State-Operated Facilities includes:

• Updated screening questions.
• Added quarantine recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Statewide COVID-19 outbreak report. This weekly document provides an overview of reported COVID-19 outbreaks in our state, based on information in DOH’s Washington Disease Reporting System (WDRS). Read the full June 2 report here.

COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington state K-12 schools. Between Aug. 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, 237 COVID-19 outbreaks and 909 COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools were reported to DOH. Read the full June 1 report here.

COVID-19 Resources and Impacts webinar. This free, one-hour webinar for all businesses takes place on June 23. It will provide an overview of some of the state responses, resources, and other impacts affecting small businesses, and will include brief presentations from several state agency small business liaisons with dedicated time for Q&A. Register for the webinar presented in English and in Spanish.