11/20: Friday Briefing (English) & Reporte de COVID (Spanish)

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Listen to our regular daily briefing, followed by El Reporte de Covid, produced by VT Radio Universal in conjunction with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.

STATE

  • The governor issued an order that will cap fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash or GrubHub at 15%, and total fees at 18% of the purchase price of an order.
    • The order takes effect next Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.
    • This order follows similar rules from local municipalities, including a recent rule from Mayor Woodards on behalf of Tacoma’s City Council.
  • When we went to air, the governor was giving a press conference announcing financial assistance for those impacted by COVID 19–we’ll update at our 6pm replay with any details.
  • The University of Washington has found that patients with more coronavirus particles in their system were four times more likely to die in the next month than those with lower levels of the virus.
  • Local officials and medical systems are urging Washingtonians to make plans for spending holidays with household members rather than to rush to get COVID tests in the hopes that a negative test allows for safe gathering.
    • Testing sites in King County are becoming inundated with individuals seeking confirmation in the hopes of socializing, and officials are stating that test sites are intended for people who may be sick with Covid.
    • Some urgent care clinics and pharmacies offer tests for a fee, by appointment, and those with insurance can call their healthcare providers for guidance on obtaining COVID tests.
    • Officials note that those with symptoms, and those who’ve been exposed, should get tested, but individuals without symptoms or known exposure are urged to consider just staying home.
  • High school winter sports that were slated to begin on December 28th are now delayed until at least February 1st, and perhaps longer, depending on coronavirus numbers.
    • Virtual practices may still take place.
    • Traditional fall sports were already bumped to run March to May of 2021.
  • Western Washington University in Bellingham has now suspended all in-person classes due to covid cases.
    • Some classes had been meeting online, while some were in person.
  • The state Fish & Wildlife department is keeping hatchery facilities closed to the public in order to ensure health and safety of hatchery staff.
    • Potential visitors are asked to respect posted closure notices.
  • If you were thinking of heading to Oregon at any point, gatherings are limited to six people and restaurants are take-out only as well.
  • Additionally Canada’s borders to the United States will remain closed to non-essential travelers until at least Dec. 21 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
  • The WSU football game against Stanford has been canceled due to players testing positive for COVID-19, and WSU falling below the threshold for active team roster numbers.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 252 new COVID 19 cases today.
    • The County’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 people has increased from 309.5 yesterday to 322.3 today.
    • The figure is recommended to be at 75 per 100,000 to consider bringing back youngest students for hybrid in-person learning at schools.
  • Pierce County’s third wave of Coronavirus infection has already has seen more cases than the March and Summer waves combined
    • Since deaths lag behind infections and hospitalizations, we don’t yet know if this fall’s surge will ultimately result in greater deaths.
  • Volunteers urgently needed for Nourish Pierce County food bank locations in Southeast Tacoma and Lakewood for Monday, Wednesday and Friday shifts.

TACOMA

  • Tacoma Public Schools asks that anyone pickin gup Grab N Go meals from one of the more than 100 curbside or Meals on Wheels stops please wear a mask in order to keep staff safe.
  • Stop schedule and current menu are available at tacomaschools.org/nutrition.
  • free meals are available to all youth 18 and younger.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
    • For King County locations visit KingCounty.gov.
    • A new site has been established at Highline College in Des Moines.
    • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
  • This week’s remaining free pop-up testing events in Pierce county include:
    • Tomorrow, Nov 20th at Gig Harbor High School
    • Saturday, Nov 21st at at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Tacoma, at Roy Elementary School, at Eatonville Middle School
    • Sunday, Nov 22nd at Sprinker Recreation Center and at Oakland Madrona Park
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone
    • results are available in 3-5 days
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.