3/22: Monday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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VACCINE INFO

  • Lots of folks are eligible to receive vaccines right now; find your eligibility status and places you can access the vaccine at coronavirus.wa.gov
  • Veterans of any age can get vaccinated by directly calling the VA 206-716-5716.

STATE

  • All of Washington is now in Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan today.
    • restaurants, gyms, and bowling alleys can operate at 50% capacity
    • Sports stadiums can be 25% full, and up to 400 people can attend events like graduations and other celebration, depending on the size of the venue and whether it’s outside.
    • Masks and 6-foot distancing are still required in public spaces.
  • Universities across WA are discouraging students from traveling during Spring Break, which is this week for many institutions.
    • Some colleges like WSU have eliminated a weeklong break in favor of several 3-day weekends throughout the spring academic term.
  • A state-level Travel advisory from last year has been rescinded, and Washingtonians are now being directed to follow the CDC’s travel advisories regarding self-quarantining and avoiding non-essential out-of-state travel.
    • Those advisories can be found online at CDC.gov
  • The current restrictions at the US/Canada border are extended until at least April 21.

REGIONAL

  • The Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept reported 79new COVID cases today and zero new COVID-related deaths.
  • The 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 129.
  • In neighboring King County, Covid-19 cases are up 31% from just 2 weeks ago, with outbreaks linked to restaurants, bars, and travel.
  • Even though the current Moratorium on residential rental evictions has been extended to June 30th,anyone having trouble paying rent or utilities can apply for financial assistance by going to https://piercecountywa.gov/housinghelp or by calling 211 and asking to be referred to rental assistance.
    • Eligibility is open to those renting apartments or homes, renters staying in hotels or motels, people renting an RV space, those renting from a family member or friend or renting a room in a shared house, as well as those using a section 8 voucher.

TACOMA

  • The Hilltop Action Coalition will hold its virtual weekly update tonight at 6pm; they will stream on Facebook

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, found at tpchs.org/covidtesting
    • If your business or organization has the capacity to serve as a mobile testing site OR a communicty vaccination site, call 253-649-1412 or email TSmith@TPCHD.org.
  • Some pharmacies also offer take-home self-testing kits or drive thru rapid antigen testing.