• 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:  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

• New guidelines allow some limited indoor restaurant dining options for regions in phase 1.
  • The rules are called “Open Air dining” and can be achieved in a number of ways, including by opening large bay doors or windows or having air-permeable walls that allow outside air to easily exchange within occupied seating areas.
  • Under some conditions, carbon dioxide levels must be monitored by an establishment to ensure levels do not fall below 450 parts per million, which resembles indoor air quality

6PM UPDATE

• The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department reported 142 new COVID 19 cases today. There were 158 cases on Sunday and 200 cases on Saturday.
  • The County’s average cases per day over the last 2 weeks is 260, and with a 6-day lag to account for data accuracy, the case rate per 100,000 people is 444.
• The Puget Sound Region, which includes Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties, remains in Phase 1.
  • Over the last week, the ICU occupancy in our region was at 85 percent
  • The 14-day rate of new COVID cases was down 13%
  • The COVID-19 positive test rate stayed stagnant at 7% (though in King County, it was at 15%!)
  • These three metrics would allow us to move to phase 2 IF COVID-19 hospitalizations had decreased by 10%; Since our COVID-19 hospitalization rates only dropped by 3%, we stay in Phase 1.
• The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s Equity Action Network will be holding an open meeting on Wednesday, January 20th, 9-11am
  • The agenda will include updates and Q&A on the COVID-19 vaccine, the department’s Health Equity assessment, and 10 policy areas.
  • The meeting will be held via zoom
  • Contact the department at (253) 649-1500 and ask for the Health Equity Action Network meeting info, or go to daily.ktqa.org, click on today’s Daily Briefing, and find the links to join.
  • Links: https://https://zoom.us/j/5456875206
  • Call-in info: 1 (253) 215-8782, meeting ID 545 687 5206
• The Pierce County Emergency Management Department is in the initial stages of planning for the implementation of 3 mass vaccination sites, and 8 mobile teams, throughout the county.
  • Officials estimate the initiative will deliver 700,000 doses to 350,000 people (2 each) in approximately 7 months, depending on vaccine availability.
  • Site location has not yet been determined, but criteria being used to locate the sites include proximity to public transportation, equitable access, and geographic diversity.
  • The Pierce County Council will consider an emergency budget request at its regular meeting tomorrow, Jan. 19, at 3pm.
• To participate remotely in any of the Pierce County Council’s meetings and study sessions, go to piercecountywa.org and click on the County Council section, or call 253-798-7777.

• The City of Tacoma will present a virtual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on this evening, Jan 18th, at 8pm.
  • The event will be broadcast on TV Tacoma and streamed live on tvtacoma.com and Facebook, with rebroadcasts throughout the month on TV Tacoma.
  • The theme of year’s celebration is “Collective Voices/Collective Hope,“ will highlight the present and the future of Dr. King’s impacts on our community, and will feature local performers, speakers, and volunteers.
• The City is also seeking to fill 6 positions on the Human Rights Commission, which investigates and mediates community issues that may result from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, veteran status, or disability.
  • Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by Sunday, January 31, 2021.
  • Applications can found online at https://cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication, and for assistance with alternate formats applicants can call (253) 591-5505.
• Tacoma City Council will hold its regular meeting tomorrow, Jan 19, at 5pm. It will be broadcast on TV Tacoma and livestreamed on tvtacoma.com and on facebook.
• Tacoma PUblic Schools kindergarten students return for face-to-face instruction starting tomorrow, Jan. 19 in cohorts of up to 15 students. More information is available at tacomaschools.org.

• There are numerous free COVID-19 testing sites in our region, including at Multicare, Franciscan, and Kaiser facilities; at Community Healthcare and SeaMar Community Health Centers; at Cheney Stadium, and more.
  • For King County locations visit KingCounty.gov.
  • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
    • Tuesday, Jan 19: Washington State Fairgrounds-Blue Lot in Puyallup, State Emission Inspection Station
    • Wednesday, Jan 20: Pacific Lutheran University and the Lakewood Inspection Station
    • Thursday, Jan 21: Gig Harbor’s Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, The Church For All Nations in Tacoma, and the Lakewood Inspection Station
    • Friday, Jan 22: Tacoma MetroParks Kandle Park, Bonney Lake High School, and the State Emission Inspection Station
  • No ID is required, tests are free and open to anyone, and most testing runs 10am-3pm, except the Lakewood station goes till 5:30), but check TPCHD.org for specifics
  • Results are available in 3-7 days