12/2: Wednesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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STATE

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, now states that individuals exposed to the coronavirus should quarantine 10 days instead of 2 full weeks if they do not develop symptoms.
    • If those with potential exposure test negative, the quarantine period can be reduced to 7 days.
    • Washington state health department is in the process of updating its website to reflect the new guidelines
  • Now through December 31, any Starbucks customer who identifies as a COVID-19 front-line responder is eligible to receive a tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) at no charge at Starbucks company-operated cafes.
    • The offer is available to doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers, housekeeping staff, security, active duty military, and others on the front lines of the pandemic.
  • 700,000 people have signed up for the new app that helps notify Washingtonians if they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
    • More information about this smartphone technology is available online at wanotify.org.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 236 new COVID 19 cases today
    • The County’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 people is 383.
    • For reference, the figure is recommended to be at 75 per 100,000 to consider bringing back youngest students for hybrid in-person learning at schools, and should be below 25 per 100,000 residents to be considered under control.
  • The Pierce County Council began the legislative process at its meeting last night to bring a vote on whether to take over the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
    • The department is a join effort dating back to 1972, and that receives funding from the city of Tacoma, the county, and the state.
    • It is overseen by a board of elected leaders and community leaders, but if the County takes over, the health director would report directly to the county executive and County Council rather than the independent board.
    • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department has been issuing data-based recommendations and guidelines for Pierce County since before the start of the pandemic, but since then has been mobilizing community testing efforts, flu vaccine events, and public education campaigns, in addition to its typical duties.
    • The first hearing on the resolution is Dec. 7 with a planned final vote scheduled for Dec. 15.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region:
  • This week’s remaining mobile testing events include
    • Thursday, Dec 3: Bay Terrace Apartments at 2550 South G St., and the University of Puget Sound
    • and on Friday, Dec 4: Tacoma Nazarene Church at 3640 S M St, and at Fort Steilacoom Park
    • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone
    • results are available in 3-5 days
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.