10/23: Friday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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STATE

  • The Washington State Department of Health plans to release a monthly report on the number of cases of a rare and serious syndrome linked to COVID-19 infection in children
    • Since the start of the pandemic, 15 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome have been recorded in Washington.
    • Parents and other caregivers to children are urged by the CDC to contact a child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if a child is experiencing Fever, Abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Neck pain, Rash, Bloodshot eyes, or is feeling extra tired, but be aware that not all children will have all the same symptoms.
    • Emergency health care is needed right away if a child experiences Trouble breathing, Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away, New confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, Bluish lips or face, or Severe abdominal pain.

REGIONAL

  • Uninsured adults can now get a free flu vaccine at the Safeway pharmacies on 12th & M St. in Hilltop, and on 38th St. in Tacoma’s Lincoln District, or at 21 other locations across the state of Washington.
    • No proof of residency or immigration status is required.
  • Pierce County reported 139 new COVID-19 cases today, which represents the single highest day of new cases recorded in the county since the start of the pandemic.
    • Pierce County’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 residents is now over 100.
    • Health officials state that the infections are due to a continued increase in community transmission combined with a high number of person-to-person transmission within households.
    • All residents are urged to continue social distancing, stringent hand washing hygiene, masking, and to obtain a flu shot to minimize risk of becoming sick at a time when the healthcare system may be strained.

TACOMA

  • Due to the forecasted cold weather this weekend, the City’s new Warming Center at the Eastside Community Center will open on Saturday October 24 at 7 a.m. and will remain open through Monday, October 26 at 10 a.m. to residents who need a warm place to be.
    • For more information, visit cityoftacoma.org/inclementresources.
  • The deadline for microbusiness owners to apply for the City of Tacoma’s $10,000 COVID-19 Resiliency Grant has been extended to Monday, October 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • St. Joseph Medical Cente is restricting new admissions and visitors to the hospital’s seventh floor due to 2 cases of COVID-19 transmission
    • Some currently scheduled in-patient procedures may be postponed if it is medically safe to do so

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
  • This weekend and next week’s free pop-up testing events in Pierce County include:
    • On Saturday, October 24th, testing will be held at Eatonville Middle School, and UW Tacoma, and at the Hilltop Action Coalition office.
    • On Monday, October 26th, tests will be done at Dacca Park in Fife
    • Tuesday, October 27th, testing will take place at PLU and at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse
    • Wednesday, October 28th, the county health department will be at the University of Puget Sound in North Tacoma, and at the Saar’s Marketplace parking lot in Spanaway
    • Thursday, October 29th, testing will take place at the Tacoma Dome and at Chapel Hill Presbyterian in Gig Harbor
    • Friday, October 30th, the health department will be at Tacoma Nazarene Church in the Lincoln district and at West Pierce Fire & Rescue in University Place.
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone.
  • Testing runs 10am-3pm.
  • Community Health Care, with locations in Tacoma, Spanaway, and Lakewood, is offering testing for COVID-19, even if you are not a Community Health Care patient.
    • Call (253) 722-2161 for a Tele-Health Screening Appointment