2/10: Wednesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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VACCINE INFO

  • Washingtonians can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines online at FindYourPhaseWA.org.
  • For general info on the vaccine, go to COVIDvaccineWA.org or https://TPCHD.org/vaxToTheFuture, which 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 hospitals, including Tacoma General;
    • Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, including St. Joseph’s, St. Claire’s in Lakewood, St. Francis in Federal Way, and St. Anthony’s in Gig Harbor;
    • Kaiser Permanente facilities
    • Sea Mar clinics
    • Orting Family Practice, OM Life Health Clinic, University Place Medical Clinic, and International Health Community Services
    • Fred Hutchinson, Evergreen Health, and Seattle Children’s Hospital
  • Many pharmacies also have vaccine programs by appointment, including select Safeway-Albertsons and QFC pharmacies throughout the region; Kirk’s Pharmacy in Eatonville; and Lincoln Pharmacy and Acts Pharmacy, both in Tacoma.
  • King County has 2 vaccination sites: the ShoWare Center in Kent and at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn.
  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept urges residents to follow the department’s social media posts and keep an eye on their website for more opportunities for pop-up vaccination events.
    • Individuals can also sign up for email notifications in advance of future COVID-19 community vaccine events by going to tpchd.org/notify.
    • The department announced two vaccination events in Tacoma, but all spots were filled within 16 minutes today.
    • Because of this trend, the department is launching a pilot program to increase vaccine opportunities among groups disproportionately affected by severe COVID illness and barriers to vaccine access despite eligibility.
    • There will be small, community-run vaccine events where community partner groups register people who have limited transportation options, language barriers, tech barriers, or other access challenges.
    • Those experiencing barriers in our county include:
      • Individuals from Black, African American, Latinx or Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and American Indian communities
      • People with housing instability and disabilities
      • Low-income households
      • Immigrants and refugees
      • People with limited English proficiency
      • People in rural areas
    • The department is imploring that community partners promote these small vaccine events using low-tech options and avoid posting to social media, because individuals needing extra time to register due to their individual challenges are likely to miss out.
    • If you are a radio listener wanting to be connected to these events, and you don’t have internet access, give us a call and we can help you!

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept reported 235 new COVID 19 cases today.
    • The 2-week covid-19 case rate per 100,000 people in Pierce County was 297.
  • Kids Mental Health Pierce County recently hosted a webinar on how families, educators, and communities can support kids transitioning from remote to hybrid in-person schooling.

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 week are as follows:
      • Wednesday, Feb10: 6th Ave Apartments
      • Thursday, Feb 11: West Pierce Fire & Rescue in University Place, Eatonville High School
      • Friday, Feb 12: Eatonville High School, Pierce County Library at 3005 112th St. E.
    • 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.