All social gatherings for individuals in phase 3 counties will be limited to 10 people, down from the previous allowance of 50.

All social gatherings for individuals in phase 2 counties (which includes Pierce and King Counties) and all phase 1 counties, will continue to be limited to 5 people per week.

Examples of social gatherings include book clubs, barbecues, picnics, parties of any kind, baby showers, social clubs, garage sales, and gatherings on beaches and in parks.

Exceptions include spiritual services, weddings, and funerals.

The governor warned that the increased restrictions “may be a forerunner to additional rollbacks,” and he stated that “we cannot rule out the potential for another stay-home order this year, and perhaps not in the too distant future.”

The judge ruled that the governor’s emergency power granted by the Legislature “clearly encompasses an outbreak of a pandemic disease.”

The judge also ruled the Department of Labor & Industries lawfully exercised its authority in developing rules that enforce the governor’s emergency proclamations.

Insurers must continue coverage for telehealth, continue to cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu, coronavirus, and other viral respiratory illnesses without coinsurance or deductible, and treat drive-up COVID-19 testing sites in the same regard as provider office visits with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.

Health insurers must also waive or expedite prior authorization requirements for home healthcare or long-term care facility services

Washingtonians who were eligible for unemployment benefits between April 4th and July 25th of this year are still eligible for back payments of the federal funds for all weeks for which they were eligible, even if still seeking claims resolution.

State employment agencies administer the benefits but do not have a say in whether these benefits are extended.

More info is available at WorkSourceWA.com, where job opportunities are also listed.

The average daily number of confirmed cases since the Fourth of July is 61.1, whereas health department targets dictate that fewer than 16 would suggest the pandemic is under control.

The county’s health director now states that Pierce County is considering moving backward to Phase 1 or 1.5.

At-risk communities include Alaska Native, American Indian, Black, Latino, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals, who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 in our state.

Organizations that want to have a mobile testing station utilize their facilities for community testing should call 253-798-6595 or email PCEOC@piercecountywa.gov

Visit piercecountwa.gov/HS, the Pierce County Human Services’ webpage, for the online application, or call 253-798-4500.

More info is available at piercecountywa.gov/veterans or by calling 253-798-7449

Voters in the same household may get their ballots on different days, but all ballots should arrive by Wednesday, July 22nd.

Those who don’t receive their ballots may call the 253-798-VOTE (253-798-8683) for assistance.

It’s free to return ballots using United States Postal Service mail – just place your ballot in your mail box for pickup by July 31, 2020.

Ballot drop box locations and more info is available at piercecountyelections.org.

The deadline to vote is 8 p.m. on August 4, 2020.

Pick up activity kits from KBTC at the Family Investment Center at 1724 E 44th St on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-2pm

Meetings take place via zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-1:30pm

Call 253-302-0136 or email rmcafee@safest.org for more information

Madigan Army Medical Center’s chief officer stated that increased testing is only accounting for a small percentage of case increases.

He added that if service members completely complied with preventive measures, such as wearing face coverings and socially distancing, they could significantly reduce the spread of the disease.

JBLM’s COVID-19 data is not publicly available, per a federal Department of Defense order in April.