COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 378 new positive cases of COVID-19 (31,244 total)
- 1 new COVID-19-related death (812 total)
- 4 new hospitalizations (2,643 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, Sunday, November 8th, Public Health reported 451 new positive cases of COVID-19 (30,866 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (811 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 4 (2,639 total). On Saturday, November 7th, Public Health reported 418 new positive cases of COVID-19 (30,415 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (811 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 2 (2,635 total). On Friday, November 6th, Public Health reported 532 new positive cases of COVID-19 (29,997 total) and 1 new COVID-19-related death (811 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 4 (2,633 total). (Note that the number of deaths is not reported on weekends.)
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today, the total number of positive cases is 118,570. Total number of deaths statewide is 2,460, and total hospitalizations are 9,031.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
BREAKING: DOH to brief media tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on accelerating COVID transmission rates
The Washington Department of Health plans to hold a media briefing at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss accelerated transmission of COVID-19 and the state’s response to the worsening crisis.
You can livestream the event here: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2020111030
Experts in attendance will include DOH leadership, Dr. Jeff Duchin of Public Health, the Medical Director of Harborview, and representatives from the Governor’s office.
Rapid COVID spread in Puget Sound
 On Saturday, the DOH warned residents of a rapid spike in the number of positive coronavirus cases in Puget Sound. The agency said this surge shows no sign of slowing and has erased the progress our region made over the summer. According to the DOH, “Western Washington, specifically King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, are hot zones for disease transmission…”
Video: As COVID-19 cases spike, an update from health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin
In recent days, King County has seen the highest COVID-19 case counts we’ve experienced to date. See this page to view Dr. Jeff Duchin’s November 6th press briefing at which he discussed the rising numbers and what we need to do to turn around this outbreak.
COVID-19 vaccine news
 Many studies and trials of vaccines against COVID-19 have been going on around the world -- and will continue. But we did get some encouraging news today regarding one of the vaccine trials. According to news sources, the early data from a vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech (a German company) suggest that it may be highly effective.
However, many cautions accompany this news. According to this article in Stat News today, “…key information about the vaccine is not yet available. There is no information yet on whether the vaccine prevents severe cases, the type that can cause hospitalization and death.” In addition, the article points out that the companies cannot yet file for an emergency use authorization until half the patients in the study have been observed for at least two months following their second dose, to identify any serious side effects or dangers from the vaccine.
There is also some local COVID vaccine news. Three new vaccine trials will be starting in the Seattle area and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has just updated its vaccine distribution plan. Read more below and see these articles for more information:
- Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine is looking 90% effective – AP News
- Pfizer’s COVID Vaccine: 11 Things You Need to Know – The New York Times
- Roll up your sleeve to fight COVID-19: three new vaccine trials will start soon in the Seattle area – The Seattle Times
- Health experts want to prioritize people of color for a Covid-19 vaccine. But how should it be done? – Stat News
- Testing timeline: What’s ahead for COVID-19 vaccines – AP News
The DOH updates its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
The DOH announced it has updated its vaccine distribution plan. The DOH conducted extensive outreach to communities, workers, and business sectors that are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and communities and sectors at higher risk for getting or spreading COVID-19.
Last week the DOH opened enrollment for certain health care providers in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. The agency is focusing first on hospitals and health care systems. It has also opened enrollment to local health departments that are planning to order, store, or administer vaccine.
Assistance with health insurance open enrollment
Health insurance doesn't have to be hard. Let an Open Enrollment navigator guide you through the process of finding a low-cost or free plan that works for you. Public Health is offering over 50 in-person and virtual events through January 15th. For more information, see the websites below:
- https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/health-insurance/coverage/enrollment-assistance/calendar.aspx
- https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/health-insurance/access-and-outreach.aspx#calendar
For questions or enrollment assistance by phone, please call us at 800-756-5437
County’s biennial budget process nearing an end; more opportunities to provide input
Three important meetings are planned for this week. The first two are tomorrow, Tuesday the 10th and the third is Thursday the 12th. The public is welcome to join these virtual meetings of the County’s Budget and Fiscal Management (BFM) Committee, which I chair, as well as tomorrow afternoon’s Council meeting.
At tomorrow’s BFM meeting at 9:30 a.m. the Committee will take action on proposed ordinances relating to the County Executive’s proposed biennial budget as well as on an omnibus striking amendment to the current biennium. At Thursday’s committee meeting we expect to take action on the Executive’s proposed biennial budget and the current biennial omnibus budget. A backup BFM meeting is designated for November 13th in case an additional meeting is necessary. And, tomorrow afternoon at our 1 p.m. Council meeting, we will vote on our 5th COVID budget (see details below).
Next week a special council meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17th to take final action on the 2021-22 biennial budget as well as the omnibus supplemental budget. (A backup special Council meeting is designated for November 24th in case an additional meeting is necessary.)
Instructions for viewing tomorrow’s BFM meeting and all meeting materials are available here. The materials and instructions for Thursday’s meeting will be available here soon. For full information on providing public comment see this page.
Council to review proposed Fifth COVID emergency budget tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Last week the Council’s Committee of the Whole took action on the Executive’s Proposed Fifth COVID emergency budget. The Council will vote on the striking amendment for the proposal tomorrow, November 10th at 1 p.m. at a meeting of the full Council. Materials and information on accessing the meeting are available here.
DID YOU KNOW?
… That researchers at the UW have discovered a way to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to tumors using a material found in the shells of shrimp? Read more here.
Additional helpful and informative links
- COVID risk higher now than it’s ever been, says King County health officer – KING 5
- Duchin: Officials face 'challenge' of breaking through with public health messaging – KNKX
- SightLife sees clients, staff through pandemic’s setbacks – The Seattle Times (I’m mentioned)
- With rising COVID-19 cases in Washington state, health officials keep wary eye on hospital capacity - The Seattle Times
- Dick’s Drive-in COVID closures show how King County treats workplaces differently than Pierce – The News Tribune
- Parents of special ed students say remote learning isn’t working, ask for help – KIRO 7
- Our evergreen surrounds can help us weather our pandemic blues – Seattle Met
- Behind the change in how King County will choose a sheriff - KUOW
- Voters approve changes to King County inquests of deaths by police – KING 5
- King County prosecutor looks to non-profits to help curb gun violence – Seattle Medium
- Seattle, King County open large congregate shelter with Salvation Army – The Seattle Times
- Gun shots, screams, sirens — the reality of living in downtown Seattle - The Seattle Times
- New global archive logs changes in behavior of Arctic animals – UW News
- Ah Warner: 25 years on the forefront of hemp & cannabis culture and commerce – MJ News Network (I’m mentioned)
Today’s moment of inspiration
 CNN reports on nine-year-old California resident Reese Osterberg, an avid baseball fan and collector of baseball cards. Her family lost everything when the Creek Fire ravaged their home in Fresno, including nine-year-old Reese’s 100-piece baseball card collection.
According to CNN, Kevin Ashford of San Jose happened to turn on the radio when the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection was sharing Reese's story and asking for donations. Ashford had been planning to sell his 25,000-card collection on Ebay until he heard the story and got in touch with Reese’s family. "When she told me that she used to sit with her binder of baseball cards in front of the TV watching baseball, I knew I had made the right decision," Ashford said. "Because that's exactly what I used to do as a kid." 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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