3/2: Tuesday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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–it’s open 7 days a week 6am-6pm. Mondays have extended hours till 10pm!
  • You can also text the hotline at 211-211

STATE

  • International travelers arriving in WA State must now get tested for Covid-19 no more than three days before their flight, and will have to show a negative test result or proof from their doctor or public health official that they have clearance to travel.
    • Previously, travelers were required to quarantine for 14 days after their arrival in the state if they are traveling from countries that detected coronavirus variants.
    • The changes are aligned with CDC guidelines, which also recommend that travelers get tested 3-5 days after they travel, and then stay home and self-quarantine for seven days.
  • Restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries will receive a 1-time fee waiver for annual liquor licenses per a measure passed by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor.
    • The measure is in response to economic hardship experienced by those businesses.

VACCINE INFO

  • The FDA has given emergency use authorization to a third vaccine against coronavirus.
    • The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only a single dose, and is 66% effective against severe COVID illness
  • The president announced today that the timeline for all adult Americans vaccinated against coronavirus has moved up to the end of May, and directed states to prioritize vaccinating teachers and childcare workers if they had not already done so.
    • In WA, only school employees who were deemed “healthcare workers”, or those over 65, or those over 50 who cared for young children in the home, have been eligible to receive vaccines against COVID.
  • Washingtonians can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines right now online at CovidVaccineWa.org, which now also features a vaccine locator.
    • No further eligibility tiers or phases have opened up yet, but healthcare workers, first responders, elders 65 years and up, longterm care residents, and those over 50 who live in multigenerational households are all currently eligible.
    • The website COVIDwa.com has been a valuable resource for eligible individuals struggling to access vaccine appointments.
    • Pierce County businesses or organizations with capacity to run or facilitate a community vaccination clinic can contact Gabe Moa-ali-i with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department by calling 253-649-1412.
  • Individuals can also go to coronavirus.wa.gov to search for providers, clinics, and pharmacies that may be offering vaccine appointments elsewhere in the state.
  • UW Medicine announced that they are pausing the scheduling of any first-dose appointments for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines due to low supplies.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept reported 75 new COVID cases today and no COVID-related deaths
  • The 14-day case rate per 100,000 was 177

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:
    • Wed, Mar 3: Eatonville HS
    • Thur, Mar 4: Rainier View Christian Church in Parkland
    • Fri, Mar 5: Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place and Centro Latino in Hilltop
    • Testing runs 10am-3pm.
    • If you need later hours, the Lakewood State Emissions Inspection Station is open till 5:30pm
    • If your business or organization has the capacity to serve as a mobile testing site, get in touch with Tony Smith of the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department by emailing TSmith@TPCHD.org.
  • 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