COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 167 new positive cases of COVID-19 (23,149 total)
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (774 total)
- 8 new hospitalizations (2,418 to date)
To view a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by race and ethnicity (updated on Mondays), click this link.
Yesterday, Wednesday, October 7th, Public Health reported 151 new positive cases of COVID-19 (23,419 total) and 5 new COVID-19-related deaths (774 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 17 (2,410 total). On Tuesday, October 6th, Public Health reported 119 new positive cases of COVID-19 (23,268 total) and 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (769 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 7 (2,393 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today, the total number of positive cases is 91,918. Total number of deaths statewide is 2,183, and total hospitalizations are 7,733.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Gov. Inslee loosens COVID-19 restrictions for certain businesses, sports and other activities
 Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced that while he isn’t moving any counties forward or backward in the phased reopening plan, he is loosening restrictions for some phases.
Restaurants in second- or third-phase counties can serve alcohol up to 11 p.m. and increase their table size to six in the second phase and eight in the third phase. In Phase 2 counties (such as King), movie theaters can operate at 25% capacity, and at 50% capacity in Phase 3. Face coverings and social distancing are still required.
The governor’s office also released new guidance for sports events including biathlons, marathons and other competitions.
Despite the eased restrictions, Inslee stressed the importance of continuing to wear masks, wash hands and maintain social distance with people from other households. For more information, see the announcement here or see these stories in The Seattle Times:
- Gov. Inslee loosens pandemic restrictions for some Washington restaurants, movie theaters, outdoor sports, other activities
- What do Gov. Inslee’s loosened COVID-19 restrictions mean for youth sports in Washington?
And the Governor issued a proclamation today establishing safety guidelines for behavioral health facilities
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation today establishing safety guidelines for behavioral health facilities. This proclamation establishes updated guidelines for the safe operations of behavioral health facilities, including residential treatment facilities, 24/7 facilities, and Children’s Long-Term Inpatient Programs (CLIP). Among other things, these guidelines, similar to the guidelines issued for long-term care facilities, allow for visitation to occur between residents and family members, subject to the use of all appropriate safety and health protocols. This proclamation is effective until November 9, 2020.
Update on COVID-19 outbreak in Greek system at University of Washington
On Tuesday, Public Health issued an update on the COVID-19 outbreak in the Greek system at the UW. According to Public Health, as of October 6, it has confirmed more than 160 cases among 12 fraternity and sorority organizations associated with the off-campus Greek community at the Seattle campus of the UW. Public Health issued this letter reiterating public health recommendations to fraternities and sororities with active cases. Public Health is also supplying the Greek organizations with additional guidance and resources to assist in containing the outbreak.
For more information, read the story from Public Health here, or see these news articles:
- AUDIO: Seattle Now: Covid on Greek row - KUOW
- UW warns students of disciplinary action for ignoring COVID-19 precautions – KING 5
In case you missed it: Vaccine symposium with Dr. Fauci and others
 We included a heads-up on this event on October 1, but in case you missed it, the video is now available for viewing. Entitled, “Preserving the Scientific Integrity of Getting to COVID-19 Vaccines: From Clinical Trials to Public Allocation,” the symposium was a joint effort by the UW and Johns Hopkins University.
Flu vaccine should be considered “essential” this year: Free vaccines in Auburn this Saturday, Kent vaccine clinic postponed until October 17th
We have included information about the importance of getting the flu vaccine in past newsletters, but I wanted to reiterate the need to make sure you get the flu vaccine this year, even if you don’t usually get one.
The presence of both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time could put more people in the hospital and strain Washington’s health care system. Everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine. Young children, pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions, and those aged 65 and older are at higher risk of complications from flu illness.
For information on free flu vaccines, see the “Find a Vaccination Clinic” webpage, including an FAQ and a list of other free childhood immunization clinics. The website also includes information in Chinese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- Free flu vaccines, health screenings and other assistance at south King County Health and Safety Fair in Auburn this Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.:
Public Health is teaming up with several other partners in Auburn on Saturday for a Health and Safety Fair at the Auburn Valley YMCA, 1620 Perimeter Road (Gym and South Parking Lot) in Auburn. No appointment is needed. The event is for adults and children ages 4 and up. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in addition to flu shots, participants can also receive free health screenings and assistance with benefits such as free or low-cost health insurance. See this flyer more for information or visit this Facebook link. I am pleased to have included $650,000 in federal CARES Act funds for free flu shots for uninsured and underinsured in the County (as many as possible) in the Fourth Covid-19 Supplemental Budget passed by the Council on September 1st.
Date change: Free drive-thru back-to-school vaccine and flu clinic set for October 10th rescheduled for October 17th in Kent
Because of anticipated poor weather this weekend, a free drive-thru vaccine clinic for school-aged children and flu clinic for all community members ages 4 and older set for October 10th has been rescheduled for October 17th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ShoWare Center in Kent. We will have more information on that clinic in next week’s enewsletters.
County’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee concludes three days of briefings, prepares for Week Two of seven-week budget process
 The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, which I chair, just concluded three days of meetings at which committee members were briefed by Council policy staff on specific budget areas within Executive Constantine’s proposed biennial budget. Staff and I are now preparing for a series of “roundtable meetings,” which will allow a more in-depth look at specific budget areas.
Each roundtable will be co-led by two Councilmembers and include five Councilmembers in total. The meetings will take place Tuesday through Friday next week, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. For information on how to access the meetings, agendas and meeting material, see the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee webpage or the Council’s Budget webpage.
For more information on the Council’s review process for the Executive’s proposed biennial budget, see this page. For details on upcoming opportunities to comment on the proposed biennial budget, see this page.
Next week is the second week of a seven-week long process of reviewing and amending the proposed biennial budget. We anticipate the budget will be finalized on November 17th but no later than November 24th. Reminder: the public is encouraged to provide input on the budget, see this page for details.
   
Lock it Up: Firearm safety and input needed from young gun owners
Firearms can be dangerous. On average, 155 King County residents per year died from firearm injuries between 2013 and 2017. Public Health is urging all gun owners to store their firearms safely. Through December 2020, mention “Public Health” or “LOCK-IT-UP” and get 10-15% off select storage devices or lock boxes at participating retailers. All gun safes and lock boxes are tax-exempt in the state of Washington per RCW 82.08.832
Public Health is also seeking input from young people (25 and under) who own firearms. The Lock It Up program is working to identify the safety priorities among young firearm users and looking to learn ways to promote safe firearm storage behaviors. Please email Kalia Hobbs at uwkalia@uw.edu with any questions.
For more information on firearm safety:
- Lock it Up – King County
- The impact of firearms in King County: Data dashboard
- How to store firearms safely – Public Health (multiple languages)
Related story: UW receives $1.5 million CDC grant to study handgun carrying among rural adolescents
The CDC announced on Sept. 23 it would fund 16 studies for a total of more than $7.8 million to understand and prevent firearm violence. The University of Washington’s proposal to study handgun carrying among rural adolescents was awarded a three-year grant totaling roughly $1.5 million.
Reducing flood risks, improving salmon habitat, sustaining orca: Work begins on a major Cedar River restoration project
 King County and partners have started a major restoration project along the Cedar River that will reduce flood risks, improve habitat for Chinook salmon, and provide sustenance to southern resident orcas.
The 52-acre project will restore a mile-long portion of the river in South King County to its natural state, creating slow-water, shallow habitat that is ideal for native Chinook salmon.
DID YOU KNOW?
… that King County provides a wide array of environmental education resources for students, teachers and parents? In addition to lesson plans and curricula on several environmental topics, the County also offers the Green Schools Program. The Green Schools Program assists student teams, teachers, and other school and district staff members during COVID-19 school facility closures. It provides easy-to-use tools and information to support sustainability education and actions. More details about the 2020 – 2021 Green Schools virtual programs are available here.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Where you live could influence your COVID-19 risk - UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences
- How do I politely ask someone to wear a mask? – The Seattle Times
- She’s 13, and the source of a family’s COVID-19 outbreak – The New York Times
- Homeless families struggle with impossible choices as school closures continue – NPR
- The most heartbreaking part of Alex Gibney’s COVID documentary is how close we came to getting it right – Slate
- COVID-19 prevention should continue to ‘dominate’ behavior in Seattle – Seattle Met
- Report: Offenders on home detention not monitored 24/7 – AP News
- King County offenders on electronic home detention not being monitored on nights and weekends – KING 5 (I’m quoted.)
- How south Seattle restaurants, bars plan to survive without stadium crowds – Seattle PI
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo from CNN.com
CNN reports on Greg Dailey of New Jersey, who owned a frame shop that was forced to close due to COVID-19. For the past 25 years, he has also held down a second job, delivering newspapers every morning. When one of his customers - most of them are senior citizens - asked him to put the paper closer to her door, he realized the request was due to the pandemic, and wondered how she was getting groceries. He asked her if she needed help, and that with inquiry, Dailey began a full-time, absolutely free, delivery service for senior citizens on his route. For the last six months, Dailey – with the help of his family and now, a team of volunteers - has made over 1,000 trips to grocery stores and other stores.
According to CNN, “Responses flooded in and word soon spread beyond the customers on his route… His 24-year-old daughter, Erin, became his partner in the effort. They developed a system to keep track of the orders, which average between five to 10 a day. People are asked to fill out a spreadsheet with their contact information, any discount codes they have at various stores, as well as a detailed shopping list.”
Dailey has since reopened his frame shop, his family is taking on a larger role in the delivery effort, and they now have the help of several volunteers, mostly college students.
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I am now sending out on Mondays and Thursdays. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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