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.

Please note that due to an issue that stalled data reporting starting Saturday night through Monday morning, both the DOH and the risk assessment dashboards have lower total tests and case counts today. The problem has been resolved, but cases and tests will be lower as the department works to account for the backlog. DOH will share an update once this is resolved.

Inslee announces face coverings will be required in all public spaces in Yakima. In response to “an imminent explosion of the COVID pandemic” in Yakima County, Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Saturday that he will be issuing a proclamation early this week that will require people in public spaces in Yakima County to wear face coverings. Yakima Valley has the highest per capita rate of COVID-19 on the West Coast and the county has 22 percent of the state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations. Inslee said Yakima County’s case count is higher than the entire state of Oregon, and without immediate action case counts could double in the next two weeks.

DOH releases American Sign Language (ASL) re-opening guidance videos. The videos, which can be found on the DOH’s ASL landing page, contain guidance for the Safe Start plan, each separate re-opening phase, and requirements for individuals, businesses, and employers. You can find more information here.

Going back to work safely. On Friday, DOH released a report on what types of occupations and industries people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 work in. The highest number of COVID-19 cases in Washington is among people who work in health care and social assistance. The manufacturing industry has the second highest number of cases. This includes food processing facilities. It’s important to note this report reflects where people work, not where or how they were infected. DOH’s latest blog post answers questions how to keep employees safe. The Safe Start plan also has guidance for specific industries as they reopen.