2/18: Thursday 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 lots of COVID data displays are available at doh.wa.gov/CovidDataDashboard.
  • Going to wa211.org online or dialing 211 will link you to all sorts of resources for social, health, and financial assistance.
  • 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

STATE

  • The Washington State Coronavirus Response Joint Information Center hosted a virtual media briefing on the state’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The video is available on the Dept of Health facebook page at facebook.com\WADeptHealth
    • Most recently, the department noted that shipments of Moderna and Pfizer covid-19 vaccines to our state will be delayed this week due to severe winter weather in other parts of the country.
    • The dept advises that anyone scheduled for a vaccine follow up with the provider or local county health department and local news for updates.
    • KTQA will provide info as it comes in.

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
  • Eligible King County residents can seek appointment online at kingcounty.gov/vaccine or call 206-263-9600
  • Pierce County residents can sign up for email notifications in advance of future COVID-19 community vaccine events by going to tpchd.org/notify.
  • Anyone wishing to volunteer in vaccination events can learn more at PierceCountyMRC.org
  • Individuals can also go to COVIDvaccineWA.org and find providers, clinics, and pharmacies that may be offering vaccine appointments.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept reported 109 new COVID cases and 3 new deaths today.
  • The county’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 217.

TACOMA

  • Starting on Monday, Feb. 22, first-grade students in Tacoma Public Schools will be expected to attend in-person learning four days a week.
    • On March 1, schools plan to welcome students in second grade to in-person learning four days a week.
    • The change to four days a week for these grade levels is based on the anticipation that Pierce County’s COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 will continue to stay below 350.
    • More info available at TacomaSchools.org

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 offers free mobile testing events. The remaining ones this week include:
    • Fri, Feb 20: the health dept will be back at Anchor Church on Orchard St. and also at Charles Wright Academy
    • And on Saturday, Feb 21st: you can get free covid tests in Tacoma at the MDC Child Care Food Program on 945 Fawcett Ave.; in Eatonville at Salvation Army Camp Arnold; or in Bonney Lake at Bonney Lake High School
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.
    • If you need later hours, the Lakewood State Emissions Inspection Station is open till 5:30pm
  • Some Walgreens pharmacies also now offer free drive-up rapid antigen testing for people Ages 3 and up, including the Walgreens at 38th & Pacific in Tacoma

ANNOUNCEMENT

  • KTQA invites members of our community to share your memories of Kris Brannon, also known as “Sonics Guy,” died this past weekend and whose loss we mourn.
  • If you ever saw Kris and he made you smile, and you’d like to share with the KTQA community, you can call 253-330-8821 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and what you remember dearly about this Tacoma icon.
  • Your message in whole or in part may be included in a tribute program that may air on broadcast radio, stream online, or be a part of a podcast.
  • You can also record a file on your own and send it our way to info@ktqa.org.