2/3: Wednesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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PERENNIAL RESOURCES

  • State-level updates on COVID-19 can be found online in multiple languages at coronavirus.wa.gov, and the state’s data dashboards are found online at doh.wa.gov/CovidDataDashboard.
  • 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.

STATE

  • A 3rd party data breach resulted in personal data of some applicants to the State unemployment system being released without authorization.
    • If you think you could be a victim of this cyber incident, you can find more details at sao.wa.gov/breach2021
  • The governor recently issued a proclamation to align state foster care services with updates required under new federal law
    • Foster youth over 18 years old who have opted to receive extended foster care services will no longer “age out” at 21 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Age limits and some eligibility requirements have been eliminated in order to support young adults who received foster care as minors.
    • More information can be had by calling the Department of Children, Youth and Families at 1-800 723-4831 or online at dcyf.wa.gov.

VACCINE INFO

  • Washingtonians can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines online at FindYourPhaseWA.org.
  • COVIDvaccineWA.org is also a great source of vaccine info from the State Department of Health, and vaxToTheFuture.org is the webpage for the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.
  • The State department of health notes that its mass vaccination clinics in Eastern WA and Clark County are available only to health care workers, high-risk first responders, long-term care residents, people 65 years or older, and people 50 years or older in multigenerational households, and recipients must also either reside or work in Washington State.
  • The following health systems and clinics in our region are offering vaccine appointments for eligible individuals:
    • MultiCare, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sea Mar, Orting Family Practice, OM Life Health Clinic, University Place Medical Clinic.
    • UW Medicineis pausing further first-dose vaccines until further notice. Anyone who has already made an appointment with UW medicine will be able to get first and second vaccine doses.
  • The following pharmacies also have vaccine programs by appointment:
    • Safeway pharmacies in Bonney Lake & Lakewood
    • Kirk’s Pharmacy in Eatonville
    • Lincoln Pharmacy in Tacoma
    • Alberton’s pharmacy in Puyallup
  • Community vaccination sites for vulnerable, underserved individuals are now open at the ShoWare Center in Kent and at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn.
    • Online appointment registration opens for those clinics is at kingcounty.gov/vaccine.
    • Registration is only open only to certain elderly or other high risk residents of south King County
    • For more information by phone, call 206-263-9600
    • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept expects to announce more pop-up vaccine events soon, and urges Pierce County residents to follow the department’s social media posts and keep an eye on their website for more opportunities.
    • Individuals can also sign up for email notifications in advance of future COVID-19 community vaccine events by going to tpchd.org/notify.

REGIONAL

  • The 2-week covid-19 case rate per 100,000 people in Pierce County was 342, up from 336 yesterday.
  • There were 117 new cases reported today.
  • The Renton-based African Americans Reach & Teach Health Ministry is hosting Covid 19 Peer Educator Training for adults who want to support grassroots efforts in Black & Brown communities around COVID-19 prevention.
    • An online training will take place this Saturday, February 6, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
    • Participants will learn the basic structure and reproductive processes of viruses in general and SARS CoV-2 in particular; Understand the treatment targets of anti-retroviral therapy used to treat COVID-19 disease; and be able to explain how vaccines work to slow the spread of disease
    • For more info, call 206.850.2070 or email marydh@aarth.org.
  • Pierce County has a behavioral health services locator to help residents find programs by provider, location, insurance provider or more.

TACOMA

  • The city of tacoma is seeking resident feedback about the community’s housing growth strategy through an online survey available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Khmer.

TESTING SITES

  • 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, at the Lakewood State Emissions Testing Center, and more.
    • You can go to coronavirus.wa.gov and follow links for “Find Covid Testing Near Me” for specific locations.
    • In addition to permanent regular testing locations, The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept’s mobile testing events this weekend and next week are as follows:
      • Thursday, Feb 4: Pacific Lutheran University
      • Friday, Feb 5: Eatonville High School, Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma
    • 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
  • Three Walgreens pharmacies also now offer free drive-up rapid antigen testing for people Ages 3 and up:
    • In Tacoma at 3737 Pacific Ave
    • In Lakewood at 8224 STEILACOOM BLVD SW
    • In Kent at 27112 132ND AVE SE
    • Patients using this testing method must pre-register online at Walgreens.com/COVID19Testing.