Today’s recap of COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 766 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to a new, sobering milestone 50,009 as of July 22 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,482.

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.

Governor and health secretary update reopening plans with goal of fewer, shorter, safer interactions among people. Gov. Jay Inslee and health secretary John Wiesman held a press conference to announce new actions aimed at preventing the runaway spread of COVID-19, especially as Washingtonians look ahead to the fall and re-opening of schools. Social gatherings continue to be a concern for local health officials, so Inslee and Wiesman proposed updates to the Safe Start plan that reduce the risks of people gathering with others outside their household.

Among the updates announced:

• Restaurants and bars: Beginning next Thursday, bars will close for indoor service. Gaming areas such as pool table or video games must close. At restaurants, alcohol service will end at 10 p.m. Only people from the same household can sit together for indoor dining at restaurants, and capacity will be reduced to 50% and maximum table sizes of five people.
• Indoor fitness activities will be limited to no more than five individuals in Phase 2 counties. Fitness centers in Phase 3 counties are reduced to 25% capacity and no more than 10 individuals for group fitness classes.
• Beginning August 6, indoor wedding and funeral ceremonies are limited to 20% capacity or 30 people, whichever is less. Receptions are no longer allowed.
• Indoor family entertainment and recreation centers are closed until Phase 4. This includes bowling alleys, arcades, etc.
• Indoor card rooms are closed until Phase 4.
• Indoor movie theaters are allowed in Phase 3 at 25% occupancy.
• Beginning Saturday, the secretary’s statewide face covering order will be expanded to include any shared spaces, such as hotel, condo or apartment hallways and elevators, dormitory spaces, etc.

The governor also announced the extension of the statewide eviction moratorium until October 15. He plans to convene a working group to work out potential changes to the order if another extension is required.

You can watch the press conference on TVW.

Department of Corrections directs efforts to producing and supplying hand sanitizer. Individuals at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Wash., have produced over 2,900 gallons of hand sanitizer and distributed this much-needed product to state correctional facilities throughout Washington for usage by both staff and incarcerated individuals. Along with the hand sanitizer, they have been distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This includes 11,000 mini bottles of hand sanitizer for agency employees. Read the story and watch their video here.

Food security update. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) continues to provide food assistance for people experiencing difficulties during the COVID-19 crisis. The agency reports distribution of more than 800,000 pounds of food to more than 192,000 Washingtonians this week. In addition, WSDA facilitated distribution of 65,635 state-funded emergency food boxes and provided $3.2 million to hunger relief organizations across the state. Meanwhile, the Washington National Guard helped box more than 7.7 million pounds of food and assembled more than 23,000 meals. The Guard reduced its deployment this week maintaining 400 Guard members for continued support of foodbanks as we head into August. State emergency planning teams are working to develop a state-supported civilian staffing solution to meet the ongoing food security personnel needs going forward.