Today’s COVID-19 news and updates recap

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Numbers. 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.

Long-term Care Facility data. As of June 16^th, a total of 4,210 COVID-19 cases (16% of total cases) and 751 deaths (61% of total deaths) have been identified as associated with a long-term care facility (LTCF), including nursing home, assisted living facility or adult family home. These cases may include residents as well as employees and visitors, and currently, we have limited ability to distinguish amongst them.

• These numbers have been identified using several sources of information including interviews with patients, medical record review and cross-matching address information.
• We cannot say for certain that all of these cases were exposed at a LTCF. Many cases visited multiple places during their exposure period, and some individuals may have visited a LTCF after disease onset.
• Data are updated as we receive information that is more complete and may change over time as we learn more. We are working to improve this information going forward.

Inslee announces updated religious and faith-based services guidance. As more counties move to Phase 3 of the Safe Start plan, the updated guidance permits counties in Phase 3 to have an indoor capacity at 50% or 400 people, whichever is less. Services taking place in modified Phase 1 and Phase 2 counties can have an indoor capacity of 25% or 200 people, whichever is less. In Phase 1 counties, outdoor services of less that 100 people are permitted. The governor’s press release can be found here.

Inslee extends 23 proclamations related to COVID-19. Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 23 proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions were approved by the state Legislature. The extensions include the waiver of job search requirements for those who are receiving unemployment benefits. The extensions are in effect until July 1. More details available on the governor’s website.

Improved data reporting shows reveals 17 additional deaths related to COVID-19. As announced yesterday, DOH is working on a two-phased change in death reporting that will provide more information on whether COVID-19 caused or contributed to a particular death. The team that investigates death data for COVID-19 identifies deaths by linking death certificates and positive COVID-19 cases. DOH epidemiologists have identified a number of deaths since February that identified COVID-19 on the death certificate, but could not link them to positive COVID-19 tests so were not reporting those deaths in statewide counts. DOH’s epidemiology team improved the linkage process. DOH announced today they identified COVID-19 positive tests for 17 of these deaths.  

The Department of Labor & Industries released a training kit on the agricultural requirements for COVID-19. This safety and health tool kit will help agricultural employers comply with employ education requirements. Employers are required to comply with Agricultural COVID-19 Requirements and provide adequate educational materials in the language or languages employees understand. The kit is available in English and Spanish.

Food security update. This week, the state’s Department of Agriculture distributed 1.2 million pounds of food, serving an estimated 171,000 clients. In addition, nearly 700 Washington National Guard soldiers and airmen continued to support food banks statewide by boxing nearly 3 million pounds of food and assembling more than 19,000 meals.

Since April, the state has supported a COVID-19 response partnership that distributed 471,710 Washington Emergency Food Boxes across the state. An additional 3,837 pallets of emergency food –the equivalent of 128 truckloads – has been distributed to backfill food donations that have declined sharply due to the pandemic.  

The state’s COVID-19 hotline has new weekend hours. Effective this Saturday, June 20^th, the hotline will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Weekday hours will remain the same, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. 1-800-525-0127

Resources

Washington 211 COVID-19 Call Center. Do you need information or answers to your questions and concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You can call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. 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.

Interested in volunteering during disasters and significant events like COVID-19? Register with the Washington State Emergency Registry of Volunteers (WAserv) to partner with public health and others who need assistance in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.