2/4: Thursday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:21 — 10.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

PERENNIAL RESOURCES

  • State-level updates on COVID-19 can be found online in multiple languages at coronavirus.wa.gov, and lots of COVID data displays are available at doh.wa.gov/CovidDataDashboard.
  • Dialing 211 will connect you to community resources and referral agencies
  • Dialing 311 will connect you to the City of Tacoma
  • The state’s Coronavirus hotline is 1-800-525-0127
  • You can also text the hotline at 211-211
  • Going to wa211.org online will link you to all sorts of resources for social, health, and financial assistance.

STATE

  • The governor and the state dept of health has indicated that providers who are prioritizing ineligible individuals for vaccination may risk having their vaccine distribution privileges reduced.
  • 770,000 vaccinations have been delivered, which amounts to around 10% of Washingtonians being partially or fully vaccinated.
  • The state is up to delivering around 28k vax per day and now has infrastructural capacity to exceed 45,000 doses per day, but the limiting factor at this time is vaccine availability.
    • The state is being allocated between 100,000 and 116,000 doses per week.
  • State Department of Licensing notes that capacity at appointment-only driver licensing offices is limited due to the pandemic.
    • If you can’t get what you need online at dol.wa.gov, a vehicle licensing office (VLO) may be able to help.
    • Vehicle licensing offices handle license plates, tabs, reports of vehicle sale or transfer of ownership, vehicle and boat registrations/decals, trip permits, replacement titles, disabled parking placards/tabs, and more.
    • Call 360-902-3770.
    • Almost everyone is eligible to renew their driver license or ID online at DOL.wa.gov
  • The state Employment Security Department is advising anyone who hasn’t received their 1099-G tax forms, log in to eServices and look under the 1099s tab.
    • Individuals can also request a copy by email, mail or fax
    • More info at esd.wa.gov/1099

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 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, International Health Community Services, Fred Hutchinson, Evergreen Health, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
    • 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.
  • Many pharmacies also have vaccine programs by appointment, including Safeway Albertsons, Kirk’s Pharmacy, Lincoln Pharmacy, QFC.
  • 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.
  • The Puyallup Tribal Health Authority has vaccines for adult tribal members, PTHA patients, and their adult household members.
  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept notes that even as demand for vaccines is very high, and supplies remain limited, the department’s drive-thru vaccine events that have been offered so far are just the beginning, and they will continue to offer regular vaccine clinics in the coming weeks and months.
    • The department plan to introduce phone registration soon, as well as access to vaccines for those with limited mobility and transportation across the county.
    • Pierce County residents are urged 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 336.
  • There were 170 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 Parks and Metro Parks Tacoma are collaborating to enhance Specialized Recreation programs in Pierce County for individuals with varying developmental and intellectual disabilities.
  • On Feb. 6, the Puyallup House of Respect will reopen to visitors, with some restrictions that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    • Visitors who want to visit in a Resident’s room will need to present a COVID-19 vaccination card that shows their second dose was administered before Jan. 27.
    • Visitors who are not vaccinated may visit Elders in the library.
    • Visitors will be required to wear an N95 mask the entire visit and the Elder is encouraged to wear a mask as well.
    • 95% of the residents and the majority of staff have been vaccinated.

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.