11/23: Monday Briefing & Reporte Semanal de COVID

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Today’s Daily Briefing is accompanied by the Reporte Semanal de COVID, a Spanish-language production of VT RadioUniversal, Latinx En Accion, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. 

STATE

  • The governor and the department of Commerce are making available additional funds to support residents, families, and businesses impacted by COVID-19.
    • The total new economic supports amount to $135 million, divided among business support grants, a loan recovery program, rental assistance, and energy bill assistance for low-income households.
    • For info on obtaining financial assistance, visit startup.chooseWashingtonState.com and click on COVID resources.
  • The Apple Cup, a football game between rivals UW and WSU that has been played yearly since 1944, has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
    • athletic directors for both universities have expressed interest scheduling the game for later this season.
  • The Washington State Department of Health is pausing reporting out negative Covid-19 test results in order to overcome a backlog of accurate reporting.
    • The DOH has asked the major labs doing coronavirus testing to send all data minus the individual negative results so the state can catch up on reporting out new positive cases.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department is reporting that increased cases of COVID-19 transmission are occuring due to numerous patterns such as:
    • People are not practicing safe physical distancing or wearing face coverings when gathering–be it social, business, civic, political, athletic, or religious.
    • Another source of transmission involves outbreaks in congregational care settings like assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and the infection rate there is actually higher than it was early in the pandemic.
    • Transmissions have recently increased between youth in childcare, recreation, social gatherings, or any place people gather while not wearing masks, washing hands, or maintaining physical distancing.
    • The department states that it’s safest to gather only with people who live in your household, and all residents should practice physical distancing, even with friends and family outside your household.
  • Pierce County Superior Court has canceled new jurors for this week
    • Jury trials already in progress will continue and jurors for those cases are expected to show up at their regularly scheduled time
    • Plans for when and how to resume new juror operations are pending
    • Anyone who was scheduled to have a hearing in front of a judge should contact the judicial assistant for that department.
      • The number for the Commissioners Services is (253)798-6697.
      • Criminal Administration can be reached at (253)798-2988.
      • For Remann Hall (Juvenile Court) issues, call (253)798-7900.
      • For Western State Hospital matters, contact the County Clerk’s Office at (253)756-2951
      • Jurors can call Jury Administration at (253)798-7782.
    • You can visit piercecountywa.gov for information online
    • Snohomish and King County Superior courts suspended in-person jury trials due to increasing coronavirus cases.
  • The Puyallup Food Bank is seeking donations of peanut butter, turkey and up to $25 grocery store gift cards, which can be dropped off at the former Safeway building on 1405 E. Main until Dec. 23.
  • Hospitals that are part of the UW Medicine system are postponing some non-urgent surgeries to create space for COVID-19 patients.
    • Only procedures which are non-urgent but would require hospital stays are being considered, cases are being reviewed individually, and postponements are only being made if there is be no medical harm to the patient.
  • Doctors, nurses, and clinicians at Indigo Urgent Care Facilities, which are part of Multicare, began a 2-day strike to protest what they say is a lack of appropriate PPE for staff during the Pandemic.

TACOMA

  • The City of Tacoma has extended operations of the warming center at the Eastside Community Center through December 31, 2020.

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 free mobile testing events in Pierce county include:
    • On Tuesday, November 24th, at Pierce County Library at 3005 112th St. E. in Tacoma
    • On Wednesday, November 25th, at MetroParks Peck Athletic Field
    • The county won’t be holding any mobile testing events on Thursday or Friday this week. All residents are urged to stay home and spend Thanksgiving only with members of your household.
    • On Saturday, November 28th, the health dept mobile testing units will be up and running at Key Peninsula Longbranch Improvement Club, Journey Church on Pearl St. in Tacoma, and at the Tacoma Dome.
    • And on Sunday, November 29th, testing will be held at 3 locations: the Narrows Sixth Avenue Park and Ride, Gig Harbor High School, and Key Peninsula Middle School
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone
    • results are available in 3-5 days
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.