Today’s recap of recent COVID-19 news, updates

||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |||

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 279,421 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on January 18. There have been 3,940 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 COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

When is it your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccine is here in Washington and it brings the hope of a pandemic-free future. The vaccine is one of the best strategies we have now to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the virus that defined 2020. Eventually every adult and teen in Washington who wants the vaccine will be able to get one this year, but, for now, there is a limited supply. Read more about the vaccine roll out here.

Weekly COVID-19 response media briefing moved to Thursday 1/21. The weekly COVID-19 response media briefing with leaders from the state’s COVID-19 response will be Thursday, Jan. 21. Details to come.

Washington’s new vaccine dashboard will offer new window into progress. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with Microsoft AI for Health, is proud to announce vaccine data is now available on our dashboard, an addition that will help us share progress being made statewide as we endeavor to get COVID-19 vaccine to millions of people across the state of Washington.

The dashboard now includes a high-level vaccination snapshot under the Current Status tab as well as a new Vaccinations tab with statewide and county-level data on where, when and how many people are getting vaccinated. In the new tab, you can view the number of doses given in each county and statewide in a map view or by date. Read the full news release here.

Moving to the next phase: Vaccine expansion plan meant to accelerate the pace of vaccinations statewide. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced Monday the state is moving into Phase 1B tier 1, expanding access to COVID-19 vaccine to thousands more people per week. As of January 16, DOH has given almost 294,386 doses of vaccine, which is 42.3% of the 696,075 total doses of vaccines delivered to Washington state.

Read the full news release here.

Inslee announces state plan for widespread vaccine distribution and administration. Gov. Jay Inslee Monday announced an updated statewide distribution and administration plan to increase the number of Washingtonians vaccinated and establish infrastructure capable of mass vaccinations in the coming months. With the expanded vaccine distribution system, the state set a goal of vaccinating 45,000 Washingtonians per day.

Read the full plan here.

Governor Inslee Press Conference on COVID-19 on January 18, 2021. Gov. Jay Inslee held a press conference at the State Capitol to announce a series of changes to vaccine administration and unveil a new statewide public-private partnership for the state’s vaccine distribution plan. The recording is available from TVW here.

Is it time to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Information from the Federal VA, TRICARE, and Dept of Health. For veterans enrolled in VA health care, the VA is now offering vaccines to these 2 groups:

• Veterans living in long-term care facilities, and
• VA health care personnel. Vaccinating VA health care personnel helps the VA continue providing care for Veterans.

After these first 2 groups, the VA will begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you’re eligible to get a vaccine, your VA health care team will contact you. You don’t need to reserve a vaccine or come to a VA facility to request or receive a vaccine until we contact you. Read the full news release here.

January 19, 2021 data note: Negative test results data from November 21-30, and January 2 through today, are incomplete. Thus, percent positivity (Testing tab) should be interpreted with caution.

Today’s data on hospitalizations is incomplete due to an interruption in the data reporting processes. Therefore, hospitalization data should be interpreted with caution. We expect to be able to make a full update tomorrow (January 20, 2021).

Roadmap to Recovery: All regions staying in Phase 1 for now. Friday the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that based on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, all eight regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, January 25, 2021. Read the full news release here.

Inslee extends 26 proclamations relating to COVID-19. Gov. Jay Inslee Tuesday issued extensions of 26 emergency proclamations, which were extended by the Legislature on Jan. 15 with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8402.

The proclamations cover a broad range of statutory waivers that support state and local services during the COVID pandemic, including those necessary to support long term care and behavioral health facilities, to provide access to government, to provide relief from tax penalties and fees, and to protect federal stimulus payments from collection for consumer debt. Read the full statement here.

Job search requirements continue to be suspended during pandemic. The Washington State House of Representatives and Senate voted to continue the suspension of job search requirements until the Pandemic State of Emergency is withdrawn by the governor or legislative action, whichever is first. This means you can continue to answer “no” to the job search question on your weekly claim until the suspension is lifted. Read more here.

Third COVID-19 related incarcerated death at Stafford Creek. On Saturday, January 16, an individual incarcerated at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, Wash., passed away at a community healthcare facility due to COVID-19. As of January 15, Stafford Creek Corrections Center has had 661 COVID-19 cases in the last 30 days among the incarcerated population. Read the full news releases here.