COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 517 new positive cases of COVID-19 (29,465 total)
- 1 new COVID-19-related death (810 total)
- 8 new hospitalizations (2,629 to date)
To view a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by race and ethnicity (updated on Mondays), click this link. Click here to view the “Key Indicators” data dashboard.
Yesterday, Wednesday, November 4th, Public Health reported 559 new positive cases of COVID-19 (28,948 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (809 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 22 (2,621 total). Note that Public Health included a notation for the number of new positive cases yesterday, saying that the 559 number “…represents a large volume of cases whose tests results were reported on Nov. 3rd (306 cases). In addition, 253 cases were reported for previous days.”
On Tuesday, November 3rd, Public Health reported 127 new positive cases of COVID-19 (28,389 total) and 3 new COVID-19-related deaths (809 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 5 (2,599 total).
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today, the total number of positive cases is 112,550. Total number of deaths statewide is 2,431, and total hospitalizations are 8,784.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
The fall COVID-19 surge is here in Washington and King County
 Photo by SJ Objio on Unsplash
The DOH is alerting Washington state residents to the fact that positive coronavirus cases are surging rapidly across the state and this trend threatens to un-do the progress we’ve made toward containing the virus.
The DOH is emphasizing the importance of:
- Wearing a mask, even with people you see regularly and in your smallest social circles, and anytime you use shared transportation, including while in your own vehicle with other people.
- Keeping gatherings small and holding them outside whenever possible.
- Avoiding any social gatherings indoors, but if you must participate, wearing a mask and ensuring windows and doors are open to maximize ventilation.
- Washing or sanitizing hands often and not touching your face.
- Staying home if you’re sick or if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
County Executive Constantine echoed this message on Facebook, saying, “This is serious: our hospitals will fill up if we don't change course immediately.”
In reference to the surging numbers, The Seattle Times on Tuesday ran this editorial: Don’t give in to COVID-19 fatigue.
Get tested: We’re all in this together.
 Getting tested when you feel sick, or when you’ve had close contact with someone with COVID-19, is one way to show up for our community. COVID-19 testing is available and free throughout King County: http://kingcounty.gov/covid/testing
Click here to find testing sites statewide.
Without a home during a COVID winter
 Photo from Reuters
With fall here and coronavirus cases surging, governments are working to find solutions to house people and reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Executive’s proposed Fifth COVID emergency budget includes funding for additional nurses for the homeless outreach team, additional support to keep shelters open and safe, and support for isolation and quarantining of exposed shelter residents.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with shelter, visit the webpage for Coordinated Entry for All (CEA), a program of King County.
You may also be interested in these articles:
- Responding to the homeless community during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from King County, WA – The Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
- Seattle wants to buy a hotel to shelter the homeless, but funding remains murky – The Stranger
- Seattle Human Services Department prepares its winter weather emergency response plan – City of Seattle
New report explores role of diagnostic testing in school reopening
 Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Today, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released a new report by the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) looking at how coronavirus testing could help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with reopening schools. The report, the third in a series by IDM, affirms that while there are still risks associated with returning to full in-person instruction, the risks could be significantly reduced through school-based countermeasures, hybrid scheduling, and a phased-in approach that brings back K-5 grades first. Read the full report at the link above or see the article from the DOH here.
Election update
Today County Elections staff were busy with “batch audits.” According to County Elections, doing batch audits “…means we hand recount batches of ballots to ensure the tabulation system is counting correctly - one of the many tests and audits we perform before, during, and after every single election.” There are observers from both major political parties and the @secstatewa’s office present to watch in person.
As counting continues, results will be updated on weekdays at about 4 p.m. through certification of the election on November 24th.
To keep an eye on the ballot returns and voter turnout percentage updates, see this page:https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/ballotreturnstats/default.aspx
You can also track your own ballot here. For statewide election results see the elections results page of the Secretary of State’s office here.
Update on biennial budget process and opportunities for public input
The Council is continuing deliberations on the Executive’s proposed 2021-2022 biennial budget and budget-related ordinances. Additional opportunities for public involvement in the County’s biennial budget process are coming up.
Two meetings are planned for next week, on Tuesday the 10th and Thursday the 12th, both from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. The public is welcome to join these virtual meetings.
Materials for the Tuesday November 10th meeting are available here. For details on joining the Thursday meeting please visit the Council's Budget and Fiscal Management Committee (BFM) web page. For full information on providing public comment see this page. We anticipate the budget will be finalized on November 17th but no later than November 24th.
Council continues review of proposed Fifth COVID emergency budget
Last Tuesday the Council’s Committee of the Whole began review of the Executive’s proposed Fifth COVID emergency budget. The video of that meeting is available for viewing here.
The Council will continue review of the proposal next Tuesday, November 10th at a meeting of the full Council. Materials and information on accessing the meeting will be available prior to the meeting on this webpage.
National Nordic Museum welcomes back visitors
 The National Nordic Museum in Ballard is welcoming back visitors with a fun 75-second video. As we head into the dark days of winter, we can all use a little “hygge.”
DID YOU KNOW?
… that a key ingredient in coronavirus tests comes from hot springs in Yellowstone National Park? It all started with the 1966 discovery of a bacterium in Yellowstone that could survive the boiling water, which led to discoveries by American biochemist Kary Mullis in the 1980s. Read the full story here.
Additional helpful and informative links
- U.S. sets record for cases amid election battle over virus – AP News
- IHME: More COVID-19 restrictions possible in December if virus is not contained – KOMO News
- Washington sets record for daily coronavirus cases – The Seattle Times
- Greek Row coronavirus cases jump to 348; 500 total infected since summer – The UW Daily
- Models show how COVID-19 cuts a neighborhood path - UW News
- AUDIO: The pandemic’s effect on retail and residents - Seattle Growth Podcast 7.2
- Amendments to King County inquest process for police-involved killings headed for likely passage in election results - The Seattle Times
- Measure to expand, renovate Harborview Medical Center passes in King County election results - The Seattle Times
- Poll: King County voters want to change — not defund — police - Crosscut
- Mayor Durkan to address illegal dumping, trash in Seattle parks with ‘Clean Cities’ proposal – MyBallard.com
- Two surprising election results that you may not have noticed in Washington - KUOW
- Amazon to restore smaller Elephant Car Wash sign, display on Seattle campus – Seattle PI
Today’s moment of inspiration
 The Good News Network (GNN) is reporting on an amazing, innovative organization that rescues abused or neglected animals and, with the help of the rescued animals, uses their facility to provide a “…safe haven to kids with special needs, disabilities, mental health issues, or histories of past emotional trauma.”
According to GNN, “Safe in Austin is the brainchild of Jamie Wallace-Griner. The project took shape as she observed the interaction between her autistic son and his service dog, Angel.”
Wallace-Griner and her husband purchased an old ranch and are currently caring for 20 dogs, 14 cats, eight horses, 32 goats, four rabbits, three tortoises, one parrot, four turkeys, numerous chickens, 18 pigs, and four cows. Read the full story here.
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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