3/12: Friday Briefing

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VACCINE INFO

  • More than 10% of Washingtonians are fully vaccinated; almost a third of Washingtonians 65 and older are fully vaccinated
  • More than 18% of the state’s population has received at least one vaccine dose
  • Those eligible to schedule vaccine appointments include:
    • Pre-K through grade 12 teachers and staff who work in a K-12 school setting, including teachers, bus drivers, counselors, food service, administrative, and safety staff.
    • First responders, elders 65 years and up, longterm care residents, and those over 50 who live in multigenerational households who are all eligible.
  • Veterans of any age can also now get vaccinated through the VA by calling 206-716-5716.
  • By March 17, vaccine eligibility is expected to open up to pregnant people and those with disabilities that put them at high risk, as well as people who work in certain settings where they interact with many people such as agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, firefighting, law enforcement, and incarceration facilities. This March 17th is an estimate by public health officials–it was originally Mar 22.
    • By mid-April, the governor’s office expects to open vaccine eligibility to people age 16 and older with two or more medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe COVID illness complications, as well as anyone over 50 who had not been previously eligible.
    • People living in correctional facilities and certain group home settings are slated to become eligible by April 26th.
    • All other adults can expect to have vaccine access by the start of summer.
  • The website COVIDwa.com is not state-run but 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 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.

STATE

  • Recapping yesterday’sbig news across the state: Starting March 22, all counties in Washington will advance to Phase 3 under a revised COVID-19 reopening plan announced by the governor.
    • Restaurants, gyms, bowling alleys and other businesses will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity
    • A maximum of 400 people will be allowed to gather indoors or outdoors, with masks and physical distancing
    • Outdoor sports and cultural venues will be permitted to host spectators at 25% capacity.
    • Indoor youth athletic competitions will also be allowed
    • State Park Group campgrounds will reopen on March 22, with online Reservations opening up at noon March 18–they are expected to fill up quick.
    • The regional approach, which combined counties for the purposes of implementing COVID safety plans, will be abandoned and restrictions or reopenings will again be at the county level.
    • New metrics for determining phases will also go into effect: To remain in Phase 3, COVID rates in populous counties will need to remain below 200 cases per 100,000 people over a 2-week period, and COVID hospitalizations will have to stay below 5 per 100,000 for a 1-week period.
    • In counties with fewer than 50,000 people, metrics are stricter
    • Cases among incarcerated individuals or jail workers will not count against a county
    • The state will evaluate counties every three weeks, with the first re-evaluation on April 12.
    • If the statewide intensive care (ICU) bed capacity ever exceeds 90 percent, all counties statewide would revert back to Phase 1.
    • More info available at Governorwa.gov in the News section.
  • While the number of new cases of COVID-19 have declined or plateaued in the state, cases of more contagious virus variants are increasing
    • The state Dept of Health notes that our current virus rate is still higher than after our 3rd virus wave.
    • A recent increase in Western Washington cases among individuals aged 20-39 might be predictive of another viral wave, as it had been a precursor to previous waves of viral increase in the general population.
    • Despite allowances for larger gatherings, health officials emphasize the urgency of continued masking, hand washing, and distancing until viral rates are down even further
  • And today’s big news at the state level: The governor announced earlier today that he is signing an emergency order for all public school districts to offer in-person instruction for elementary school students by April 5, and secondary students by April 19.
  • By April 19, all students whose families opt for in-person schooling will need to be offered at least 30% of instructional time face to face on site, and that instruction has to take place over at least 2 days per week.
    • Districts may also offer full-time remote instruction for families who want it.
    • A hybrid instructional model where small groups of students report to campus part time is the minimum for districts starting to reopen
    • All social distancing and masking safety protocols must be in place, including workplace safety guidance from Labor & Industries.
  • Also: The State Board of Education adopted an Emergency Waiver Program, Allowing Waiver of Certain High School Graduation Requirements For the Class of 2021 Due to COVID-19, in accordance with a new law approved by the state legislature.
    • After a school district has tried all appropriate options to help a student meet credit and pathway graduation requirements, and determined that the student has shown preparation for success after high school, a school district may grant an individual student a waiver of some of those requirements.
    • Use of the waiver must be documented in the student’s records, including how the student demonstrated preparation for plans after high school.
    • School districts are required collect and report data on the use of waivers to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.
  • The Virology Lab at the University of Washington has confirmed that a third coronavirus variant has been found in King County.
    • The P.1 variant, first detected in Brazil, is believed to be far more contagious than the predominant variant, and research has shown that it can evade antibodies from a previous covid infection or innoculation via some of the available vaccines.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept reported 117 new COVID cases today and no COVID-related deaths
  • The 14-day case rate per 100,000 remained at 154.
  • Pierce County tenants struggling to pay rent can apply for rental and utility assistance at piercecountywa.gov/housinghelp.
    • Residents without internet access can call 2-1-1 to apply.

TACOMA

  • The City of Tacoma has partnered with a private property owner to establish a hygiene station at South 8th St. and Yakima Avenue through April 7th of this year.
    • The pilot program services will include: Portable toilet facilities, Handwashing stations, Dumpsters and supplies for collecting trash, On-site evening security from 6pm-6am daily, and Routine day time monitoring
    • The services are in accordance with COVID-19 recommendations by the CDC to not disperse existing encampments, but to support COVID-mitigation.
    • More info regarding the hygiene station can be obtained by calling (253) 250-1766 or by visiting cityoftacoma.org/hygienestations
    • To get involved in supporting unsheltered community members email shelters@cityoftacoma.org or call (253) 591-5000.
  • The Hilltop Safeway parking lot at 1112 S M St. is the newest home to a glass recycling drop-off station, open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will accept glass bottles, jars, and household batteries for free drop-off by residential customers.
    • For more information on Tacoma’s glass drop-off stations, visit tacomarecycles.org or call (253) 502-2100.
  • On Monday March 15, there will be a USDA food box distribution event at 3806 Portland Ave E in the parking lot of Fellowship Bible Church starting at 2pm until boxes are all gone
    • Boxes contain 30 lb of groceries that have pre-cooked animal-based protein, milk, yogurt, cheese, and vegetables.

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. Testing events this weekend and next week are:
    • Sat. Mar 13:Tacoma Musical Playhouse and the Sixth Avenue Apartments, also in Tacoma
    • Sun, Mar 14: Fort Steilacoom Park, and at the EB Wilson Apartment complex in Tacoma
    • Mon, Mar 15 at STAR Center and at Bethlehem Baptist Church on 48th and Portland Ave E
    • Tues, Mar 16: Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus in Lakewood and at the Puyallup Campus
    • Thur, Mar 18: Vassault Park
    • Fri Mar 19: Center at Norpoint and at Madrona Park in the Oakland neighborhood
    • 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.