6/17: Wednesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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Just news and resources today!

STATE

  • The State Health Department has amended its reports regarding the rate of positive COVID-19 test results.
    • Initially, the state had been including negative antibody tests in its negative test result count, conflating that with negative PCR tests, which test whether someone is actively infected and fighting the virus.
    • This inflated the state’s reporting of people who tested negative by 13 percent.
    • In reality, 6.2% percent of people taking the coronavirus test have had positive results.
  • The State Health Department also is strongly urging all individuals to wear masks when in public, saying that lack of masking could jeopardize counties moving forward in phased reopening.
  • The governor has extended the state waiver of truck driver restrictions through July 14th, aligning state orders with the timeline afforded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  • He has also extended an order until July 1st that provides flexibility on deadlines and process service requirements as they relate to protection orders and temporary firearm seizure.
  • The Washington State Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for a new Child Care grant program to organizations that expand child care capacity throughout the state in response to the closure of 1,000 facilities since the start of the pandemic.
    • Interested nonprofits with 501©3 designations, local governments, educational service districts, and federally recognized tribes can apply for the first round by June 30th
    • More info is found online in the “news” section of commerce.wa.gov

REGIONAL

  • The northern US border will remain closed to non-essential recreational travel at least until July 21
    • Border crossings for commerce and movement of essential workers, as well as some specific family members, are still allowed.
  • King County has applied to the state Department of Health to move from modified Phase 1 to Phase 2
    • Until given approval, the county remains in Phase 1.
  • All Lyft drivers and riders using the service are now required wear face coverings, and wash hands or use hand sanitizer before entering a car.
    • Riders must sit in the backseat, and car windows should remain open if possible
    • Lyft’s shared ride program has been paused indefinitely.
    • Both drivers and riders can cancel rides if they feel there is a safety or health risk.

PIERCE

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is advising that anyone who has been in contact with members of the public, such as at a protest or demonstration, get tested for coronavirus.
    • Health officials note that the virus spreads through droplets discharged by activities such as shouting and singing, which are all hallmark of recent protests.
    • Tests are now widely available through health providers or community testing events at no cost, with no insurance needed.
    • Health officials stress that the faster they find out who the asymptomatic carriers are, the faster a potential outbreak gets contained.

TESTING SITES

  • Community Testing Sites in our region include:
    • Seattle’s Rainier Beach High School – Wednesdays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and South Seattle College – Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.– pre-register for your appointment by following links at Seattle.gov or call 206-477-3977.
    • Auburn City Adventist Church – Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.– call (206) 744-0400
    • Sea Mar Community Health Center in Federal Way– (253) 681-6600
    • Kent Public Health Center – Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Info for King County testing sites is also found at KingCounty.gov.
    • For the Tacoma Dome – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.– Patients should pre-register online for an appointment time at TheLittleClinic.com or call 1-888-852-2567 and select option 3.
    • Patients should arrive at testing sites wearing face coverings and expect the process to take about 15 minutes.