1/6: Wednesday Briefing

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 By rebecca No comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:57 — 9.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

PERENNIAL RESOURCES

State-level updates on COVID-19 can be found online in multiple languages at coronavirus.wa.gov.
Dialing 311 will get you to the City of Tacoma’s non-emergency information line.
The state’s Coronavirus Q&A line is staffed 7 days a week, 6am-10pm, at 1-800-525-0127. For interpreters in other languages, press # when they answer and say your language.
You can also text the coronavirus Q&A line at 211-211 in any language.
Dialing 211 will connect you to community resources statewide through United Way, and you can also visit wa211.org online.
Many resources are available for adults and youth experiencing distress, as well as those caring for anyone experiencing emotional distress.
- The “Washington Listens” support line for managing stress and getting referrals for behavioral health services is 1-833-681-0211.
- The Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number is 800-273-8255 for English, o en espanol: ocho ochenta y ocho, seis veintiocho, noventa y cuatro, cincuenta y cuatro 1-888-628-9454
- The Crisis Text Line provides confidential text access from anywhere in the U.S. to a trained crisis counselor when you Text HEAL to 741741. If you text FRONTLINE to 741741, you’ll be connected with a crisis counselor trained to help frontline workers in the fight against COVID.
- Teens can call or text the Teen Link number at 866-833-6546
- And individuals struggling with substance use or addiction can call or text the WA Recovery Help Line at 366-789-1511

Washington’s Department of Health has revealed who qualifies to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the next round of immunization, called Phase 1B.
Phase 1A group members, who are eligible to receive vaccines right now, include certain first responders, certain health care workers, and older residents of long term care facilities.
The group for Phase 1B is broken into four tiers
- Tier 1 includes all people 70 years and older, and People 50 years and older who live in multigenerational households
- Tier 2 is made up of high risk critical workers 50 years and older who work in certain congregate settings. These include Agriculture and food processing workers; grocery employees; K-12 school staff and child care providers; corrections, prisons, jails or detention facilities staff; public transit workers; fire fighters; and law enforcement
- Tier 3 is for people 16 years or older with two or more health conditions that put them at risk for COVID-19 complications
- Tier 4 includes high-risk individuals under age 50 who work, reside, or volunteer in congregate living settings like correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities; and those who live in shelters
- Vaccination prioritization was determined based on input gathered from focus groups, interviews, and surveys over the past few months, as well as federal guidelines, and was solidified by the state health department and governor.
- More information is available at doh.wa.gov

The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 210 new COVID 19 cases yesterday, but had not yet released figures for today at time of air.
- The County’s average cases per day over the last 2 weeks is 262, and with a 6-day lag to account for data accuracy, the case rate per 100,000 people is 407.
The TPCHD Board of Health is holding a remote study session right now–it started at 3 p.m.
You can watch online (closed captioning is available) or listen in by phone. Watch at pchd.org/boardofhealth, or Listen by calling (253) 215-8782 and Enter conference ID 984 7588 1196