Today’s recap of COVID-19 news, updates, and stuff

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 825 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 55,803 as of July 29 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,564.

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.

Inslee signs proclamation ensuring protection of personal information during contact tracing. Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation today related to the state’s contact tracing efforts and personal information protection. Proclamation 20-64 exempts personally identifiable information collected by COVID-19 case investigators from public disclosure. The proclamation does not provide additional exemptions for employees or volunteers who are conducting the contact tracing work, as the Public Records Act already exempts many types of personal information relating to public employees and volunteers. 

DOH believes the information was already exempt from disclosure but hopes the certainty provides people more confidence when communicating with contact tracers. The proclamation is in effect until August 29.

Inslee announced the proclamation during his media avail this afternoon. You can watch the avail on TVW.

Funding approved to provide statewide technology training for educators. This week, the state Office of Financial Management (OFM) released $2.5 million in federal funds to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to expand training for educators on the use of online learning management systems.

In partnership with OSPI, the state’s nine regional educational service districts will provide support and training with no registration cost. These supports will help districts with platform selection, provide training for educators and families, and will launch networks for educators to share best practices

As OFM considers a release of the remainder of the state’s portion of federal funds, OSPI intends to cover the costs of internet for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals and to partner with community-based organizations to help families secure childcare, engage in language translation services, and other parent and family engagement strategies.

More information from OSPI here.

Cover your face! More than 50,000 people in Washington have been diagnosed with COVID-19. And between 30 and 50 percent of them caught it from someone who didn’t have any symptoms at all. DOH’s newest blog post reminds us why it’s important to mask up, keep our distance, avoid indoor gatherings and keep each other safe. 

Preserving sacred traditions during a pandemic. JoiSky Caudill leads Native programs at Washington state correctional facilities, including substance abuse recovery and cultural support programs at Mission Creek Corrections Center in Belfair. She began overseeing tribal programs for incarcerated women 10 years ago at the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW). In 2013, she began overseeing tribal programs at Mission Creek. Before that, she was a chaplain.

Many incarcerated women in her Red Willow group have families who live in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the healing ceremonies help the women manage their fears and intergenerational traumas. Since the onset of the pandemic, the Department of Corrections has taken steps to slow virus spread among correctional facilities, including temporary suspension of visitation and pow wows. Correctional facilities have also temporarily suspended and/or modified recreational and classroom activities that normally involve group gatherings.

In the Red Willow, ceremonies like the sweat lodge have been split into two shorter sessions, to allow for smaller groups. The ‘sweat’ portion has also been temporarily suspended. But talking circles, smudging, prayer, song and dance still convene on sweat lodge grounds. All participants must also wear a mask.

Read the inspiring story of the Red Willow group here.