COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting as of this afternoon:
- 622 new positive cases of COVID-19 (32,570 total)
- 10 new COVID-19-related deaths (826 total)
- 19 new hospitalizations (2,772 to date)
Needless to say, these numbers for King County are alarming.
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 11th, Public Health reported 372 new positive cases of COVID-19 (31,948 total) and 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (816 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 9 (2,753 total). On Tuesday, November 10th, Public Health reported 332 new positive cases of COVID-19 (31,576 total) and 4 new COVID-19-related deaths (816 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 101 (2,744 total). A note from Public Health regarding the number of hospitalizations: “On November 10, Public Health identified a data lag regarding hospitalizations over the past two weeks. The issue has been resolved. This change added 75 hospitalizations that were previously not counted.”
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today, the total number of positive cases is 123,356. Total number of deaths statewide is 2,507, and total hospitalizations are 9,178.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
From the DOH: Taking COVID-19 seriously
 Photo by Olga Kononenko on Unsplash
The DOH explains the severity of this pandemic through the story of one woman in her late 30s with no underlying health conditions. She is still experiencing symptoms six months later.
If you missed Tuesday’s urgent media briefing
On Tuesday, leaders from the governor’s office, the DOH, local health agencies, and health care providers held an urgent briefing to update the media and the public on the rapidly increasing spread of COVID-19 across the state.
The briefing can be viewed here. Some key takeaways:
- Our current situation is extraordinarily urgent. We're seeing explosive growth of COVID-19 statewide and are running out of time to change direction.
- When COVID-19 transmission increases our hospitals and health care workers get overwhelmed. Screenings and preventative health care visits are cancelled, with potential long-term public health implications.
- If we don't act today, there can be no safe gatherings two weeks from now. If you want to have even a small Thanksgiving gathering, consider quarantining now. Keep gatherings outside, stay 6 feet from those you don't live with, and mask up.
Flu vaccine reminder: Drive-through clinics tomorrow and Saturday
 It’s more important than ever to get a flu vaccine this year. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, the presence of both viruses could put more people in the hospital and further strain Washington’s health care system. While we don’t yet have a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, we do have one to help prevent flu. For help finding a health care provider or vaccine location, and to learn more about flu, visit www.KnockOutFlu.org.
Public Health, along with the YMCA of Seattle and the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association, is offering drive-through flu shot clinics in Newcastle, Kent, and SeaTac tomorrow and Saturday. The shots are free to those without insurance. Reserve your spot today at https://www.seattlevna.com
Huskies from Home: Responding to COVID-19 - - November 19th at 11 a.m.
The UW is hosting a webinar to discuss the outlook for the pandemic over the coming months. Dr. Santiago Neme (Professor, Allergy & Infectious Diseases and Medical Director, UWMC) will discuss UW Medicine’s on-going work to combat COVID-19 in our region and across the nation. He will also share the anticipated trajectory of the pandemic over the next few months. Following Dr. Neme’s presentation, there will be a panel discussion with UW experts on the importance of and challenges surrounding contact tracing.
Click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Public Health identifies a new measles case, possible exposure at Sea-Tac Airport
Public Health announced yesterday that it is investigating a new confirmed measles case in a child, with possible exposures in Sea-Tac Airport.
County Council passes Fifth COVID emergency budget
 On Tuesday the Council passed the Fifth COVID-19 emergency budget, the last for this year. In total the COVID emergency budgets have distributed more than $260 million in Federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funds. As the Council’s Budget Chair, I know first-hand that this has been no easy task. But we worked diligently to ensure funds were allocated quickly and efficiently to support our public health response to the pandemic and to help small businesses, non-profits, child care providers and clients, domestic violence survivors, restaurants and bars, and the arts community.
Special thanks to Budget Vice-Chair Rod Dembowski and his staff for shepherding the 5th COVID budget to the finish line and for all of their hard-work this year with our pandemic response.
Budget Committee votes to advance biennial budget; budget process nearing an end
 As you may know, as Chair of the County’s Budget and Fiscal Management (BFM) Committee, I have spent the past few months immersed in the process of helping develop and in finalizing the biennial budget. Executive Constantine transmitted his proposed 2021-2022 biennial budget to the County Council on September 22nd. I commend him for how strong of a proposal it was given all the enormous challenges he and all of us have been facing. Councilmembers examined the proposal and its potential impacts closely in a series of committee and special Roundtable meetings in October. In November, the BFM held several public virtual meetings to further examine and amend the proposed budget.
Today the BFM Committee (comprised currently of all nine Councilmembers) voted unanimously to advance the 2021-2022 biennial budget that invests more than $12.4 billion throughout our region. Earlier, the committee unanimously adopted my striking amendment (as amended) that builds on the strong work of the Executive’s proposed budget. The full substitute budget ordinance is set to be passed by the full Council next Tuesday.
Our world has been turned upside down by the coronavirus but we as a Council responded to the challenge and will be passing a budget for the next two years that invests with purpose, supports our BIPOC communities and does so in a way that is fiscally prudent. I thank my colleagues on the Council for working with me as well as County Executive Dow Constantine and his budget staff for helping us get to this point. And our Council staff were incredible!
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 fourth omnibus supplemental budget budget to the current biennial budget. Details on joining the meeting will be provided on this page as we get closer to the meeting date.
For full information on providing public comment on the biennial budget see this page.
Seattle Growth Podcast 7.3: The pandemic and the future of downtown
 Photo by Jingjie wong on Unsplash
With the COVID-19 pandemic still wreaking havoc, will Seattle continue to be a desirable place to live, work and do business? Season 7 of the Seattle Growth Podcast explores these questions through interviews with civic leaders, influencers and everyday Seattleites. Episode 3 considers the future of downtown Seattle.
DID YOU KNOW?
… That the average American makes over four pounds of garbage a day? That’s over 1,642 pounds a year. For more information on reducing your household garbage and hints for recycling, see King County’s Solid Waste Division website.
Additional helpful and informative links
- COVID risk higher now than it’s ever been, says King County health officer – KING 5
- Washington health officials warn against Thanksgiving gatherings as COVID-19 cases surge – Seattle PI
- WA COVID-19 cases reach record highs as holidays approach - KUOW
- How might a mask mandate play out? Look to the battle over seat belt laws – Stat News
- Seattle Now: Minimizing our COVID risk this winter - KUOW
- Seattle vaccine researchers react to Pfizer, still need volunteers – KIRO 7
- $1 million for childcare safety part of latest King County Council COVID-19 emergency funding – Auburn Examiner
- Domestic violence is skyrocketing during COVID restrictions – KING 5
- Entire Portland metro area placed on ‘pause’ as coronavirus spreads- The Seattle Times
- As RV camps accumulate in Seattle streets, a program for homeless vehicle campers fights to stay funded - The Seattle Times
- Accountability needed for Seattle police reforms - The Seattle Times
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo: GNN/Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD
MSN and the Good News Network tell the story of an extraordinary fifth-grader in Texas. Orion Jean of Chisholm Ridge Elementary School in North Texas collected and donated hundreds of toys to hospitalized children in Dallas earlier this fall. He has now started another donation drive, to provide thousands of meals to people in need by Thanksgiving. He has already received donations for 4,000 meals.
This is all very impressive. But I was even more touched and amazed by this speech Orion made on kindness. He opens by saying, “The question is, how can kindness change a nation?” I think it’s clear this young man has a bright future ahead of him.
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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