APR 7, 2020
Nearly 400 coronavirus deaths in Washington state
Health authorities in Washington on Tuesday announced more than 20 new
coronavirus deaths in the state, bringing the total to at least 394.
According to figures from the Department of Health, there are more than 8,600 confirmed cases in Washington. The bulk of the cases and deaths are in King and Snohomish counties.
Washington state reports nearly 300 new coronavirus cases, but data lagging county totals
Pierce County on Tuesday listed
760 cases and 14 deaths.
King County is still far and away the county with the most cases, with 3,486 cases and 230 deaths from COVID-19 listed
on the county’s website.
Snohomish County has the second-most reported cases, with 1,659 cases and 61 deaths
according to its website.
Concerns over black market beauty salons still operating amid Washington's coronavirus closures
Inslee has threatened potential business license revocation for anyone that violates his 'non-essential' business order. The State's Department of Licensing said it is sending "letters of education" to potential violators.
Dr. Fauci offers WA praise but warns against complacency
“We should not accept the inevitability that we’re going have 100,000 to 200,000 deaths,” said Dr. Fauci. “I’m seeing around the country how people doing a very good job of (responding to the outbreak) — they did a very good job in Washington state.”
Kirkland’s Life Care Center was the epicenter of the nation’s outbreak in its early days. That being so, the region
has managed to make progress in flattening its curve, with the latest numbers from the University of Washington’s predictive model painting a promising picture for the months ahead if people maintain social distancing.
Washington has already spent 60% of $200 million budgeted to fight coronavirus; 84 million PPEs on order
Washington lawmakers may have to come back for a special legislative session in the coming months to help with the coronavirus response and economic recovery because the state has already
distributed 60% of the money — $120 million out of $200 million — that was budgeted last month, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday.
APR 8, 2020
Coronavirus has closed Washington’s schools, at least through summer. When will it be safe to return?
During Monday’s news conference announcing the extension, Inslee first said schools are expected to reopen in the fall. But later, state schools chief Chris Reykdal stood beside Inslee and hedged; school leaders should prepare for the possibility that closures may bleed into fall, he said.
Policymakers need to consider the scope of the virus’s reach — who’s infected, recovered and immune — but also how well they’re equipped to keep the virus at bay. That’s barring a vaccine, which could take over a year to develop. And schools are in a category of their own: Unlike other public spaces, such as restaurants, bars and parks, people are compelled to enter public school buildings at least every weekday.
Coronavirus: Local lawmakers request additional sample testing kits from federal government
“Adequate access to testing supplies is critical to the prompt identification of cases necessary to allow public health responders to take protective measures and provide necessary treatment, all of which are essential to save lives and curb the COVID-19 public health emergency in Washington State,” the lawmakers said.
Click
here to read the letter in full.
Live updates: 'Simply put, we need more tests,' says Gov. Inslee
[...]
Wednesday:
10:44am – Costco
is enacting a temporary measure to allow first responders and health care workers with membership cards to move to the front of the line to enter any of their locations. That includes police officers, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and firefighters among others.
[...]
9:48am – Washington’s largest psychiatric facility in Western State Hospital
continues to battle a coronavirus outbreak within its walls, with 22 confirmed cases among employees. Six patients have also tested positive, while one has died.
[...]
8:45am – The Seattle Symphony has now furloughed three-fourths of its staff, according to
a report from The Seattle Times. That includes 88 musicians, leaving just 58 people on staff out of its 250 total employees.
7:42am – A new app being tested by UW Medicine hopes to be able to predict the next major outbreak, as well as preventing people from returning to work while still sick.
Read more.
6:51am – King County Metro employees
are leading a call for more protections for drivers, cleaners, and more, in the face of ongoing coronavirus concerns.
“This is a matter of life and death for us … and our ridership,” Metro Streetcar Supervisor Linda Averill said in a virtual press conference Tuesday.
[...]
6:18am – Looking for work? There’s now
an online portal for Snohomish County residents in need of a job, with companies like Safeway, Walgreens, Costco, and more actively hiring to meet demand.
[...]
(Much more at the link)
