COVID-19 UPDATES
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health -- Seattle & King County is reporting these highly concerning numbers as of this afternoon:
- 707 new positive cases of COVID-19 (55,919 total).
- 22 new COVID-19-related deaths (976 total)
- 38 new hospitalizations (3,803 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.
- On Wednesday, December 16th, Public Health reported 363 new positive cases of COVID-19 (55,212 total) and 6 new COVID-19-related deaths (954 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 17 (3,765 total).
- On Tuesday, December 15th, Public Health reported 200 new positive cases of COVID-19 (54,849 total) and 13 new COVID-19-related deaths (948 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 34 (3,748 total).
A note on statewide numbers from the state Department of Health (DOH): December 17, 2020 data note: “Today’s total case counts may include up to 1,000 duplicates. Negative test results data from November 21, 2020 through today are incomplete, as are positive test results from December 16, 2020, thus testing and case numbers should be interpreted with caution. The Epidemiologic Curves tab is the most accurate representation of COVID activity and is updated daily as new cases are identified and duplicates are resolved.”
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today (and with the caveats stated above), the total number of confirmed positive cases is 209,344. The total number of probable cases is 7,861, for a grand total of 217,205 cases. The total number of deaths statewide is 3,117, and total hospitalizations are 13,235.
The charts we usually include here are not available today. Apologies for any inconvenience.
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
First doses of vaccine arrive in King County
Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) is one of several health care providers to receive limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccine this week. Hospital systems in King County will receive approximately 17,000 doses of vaccine in this first distribution, with Public Health scheduled to receive 3,900 doses.
Council updated on vaccine planning and distribution
On Tuesday the County Council was briefed on vaccine planning by Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health. The video from that briefing is not yet available, but you can view the slides from Hayes’ update here.
More doses of vaccine on the way as statewide vaccination effort continues
 According to an update yesterday from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the department anticipates receiving tens of thousands more doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week, as vaccinations continue for frontline health workers and long-term care residents and staff across the state. The department estimates it will take until around mid-to-late January to finish vaccinating these groups and begin offering the vaccine to the next eligible groups.
Antigen positive tests results now included in DOH dashboards
The DOH also announced yesterday that it is now including antigen-positive COVID-19 cases in its COVID-19 Data Dashboard and COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard. According to DOH, including the antigen-positive test results will provide a more accurate picture of community transmission and help guide efforts to respond to COVID-19.
State updates guidance for in-person instruction in schools
 Yesterday Gov. Inslee announced updated school guidance for in-person instruction and an allocation of $3 million from set-aside funds for implementing health and safety protocols in schools. The new guidance uses updated metrics from the state DOH to aid school officials and local leaders in making decisions about in-person learning and the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the school environment. Changes to the metrics include revisions to the COVID-19 incidence rates to consider when making decisions about which students to prioritize for in-person learning.
Mayor Durkan extends COVID-19 relief measures, eviction moratoriums into 2021
On Tuesday Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed an Executive Order extending COVID-19 relief measures for residents and continuing the moratoriums on residential, nonprofit, and small business evictions in the City of Seattle through March 31, 2021. And on Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed the Mayor’s proposed extension temporarily suspending late fees on delinquent utility accounts. The Seattle Public Utilities Utility Discount Program’s Self-Certification Pilot Program is extended until June 30, 2021, which can lower some City Light bills by 60 percent and Public Utility bills by 50 percent.
COVID-19 and mental health
 Photo by Paola Chaaya on Unsplash
The Seattle Times has just reported on a U.S. Census Bureau survey conducted in November, in which Seattle metro-area residents (Seattle – Tacoma – Bellevue) topped the nation in reporting feelings of depression and/or hopelessness. See the article below, as well as links to find help:
- Seattle was the saddest metro area in the nation last month, survey shows – The Seattle Times
- Mental-health resources in King County and Washington state –The Seattle Times
- Black mental health matters: culturally relevant resources are available in King County – Public Health Insider blog
- Community support and well-being: Tools and resources to support your emotional and mental health – King County
- Coping with COVID: Healthy communication - DOH
- How to keep spirits lifted through a dark Seattle winter (and pandemic) – Seattle PI
Inslee releases 2021–2023 budget proposal
Gov. Inslee announced the details of his 2021 – 2023 biennial budget proposal today, which included significant funding for public health, economic supports for workers and businesses, and other services that Washingtonians need to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19.
"We must invest in the relief, recovery and resilience of Washington. We cannot cut the things that we need most during a pandemic," Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. "In my proposed operating, capital and transportation budgets, I am investing in the people of our state." The three budgets will go to the State Legislature for deliberation when it begins its 2021 legislative session on January 11th, the second Monday in January.
Nominations sought for first annual Larry Gossett Service Award – January 1st deadline
Last year Executive Constantine and the planning committee for the County’s upcoming annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration created an annual award in former Councilmember Gossett’s name that honors his life of service to the people.
Nominations are currently sought for the first recipient to receive the annual Larry Gossett Service Award. The award will be presented at the 2021 Annual King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Thursday, January 14, from Noon to 1 p.m. You can find the nomination form at the link above, and the Planning Committee will accept nominations from now until January 1, 2021.
Washington state food security survey
 The University of Washington and Washington State University, with support from Tacoma Community College, have created the Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD) to monitor how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic security and food access for Washington state residents. This information will help state and community partners to identify needs and allocate resources for state residents. To participate in the survey click here:
Funding opportunity: Youth and amateur sports grants
King County Parks is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for youth sports capital projects and programs. Applications for this funding will open January 4th, 2021 and required Letters of Interest (LOI) will be due by Noon on January 27th, 2021. Applications for County Parks Activation Grants will also be due on January 27th. The County Parks online grant platform will open on January 4th, and can be accessed at this link.
You are encouraged to review the Grant Program Guidelines before proceeding with an LOI. For more information sign up for the County Parks Youth Sports Grants Information Session that will be held via zoom on Thursday, January 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Registration is required. If you are unable to attend the webinar, a recording of the info session will be available for viewing after January 7.
In addition, each Councilmember is able to make awards, which we’ve been doing since 2016. Please check with me if you if you know of an organization you would like to be considered.
Equity and mandatory helmet laws
Strong points are made in this Crosscut article about the equity impacts of mandatory helmet laws. As the article outlines, nearly half of Seattle’s helmet citations go to homeless people. I believe this is an issue that deserves a second look. At the Board of Health, we need to seriously take into consideration both the health benefits of this law and disproportionate punitive impacts on our most vulnerable neighbors. I encourage my Board of Health colleagues to take this up in the coming year.
Terry White appointed head of Metro
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the appointment of Terry White a while back to be General Manager of King County Metro. A 33-year Metro veteran, White had been serving as Interim General Manager and previously served as Deputy General Manager. The Council confirmed the appointment at our Tuesday meeting. Congratulations, Mr. General Manager.
More masks delivered
 I was glad to be able to pop in to The Arc of King County for just a few minutes yesterday to drop off more reusable cloth masks for their staff and program participants. The Arc of King County has continued to advocate on behalf of and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the disability community as a whole. Here, I’m pictured with staff members Leslie Huber and Emma Brecht. Masked up, of course, and only stood less than six feet apart for no more than 20 seconds. Thank you, The Arc of King County, for your service!
DID YOU KNOW?
… that the WHO (the World Health Organization) has declared an "infodemic" of incorrect information about the coronavirus, posing risks to global health. According to Wikipedia, incorrect information on the pandemic includes commercial scams and miracle cures as well as claims that “…the virus is a bioweapon accidentally or purposefully leaked from a laboratory, a population control scheme, the result of a spy operation, or the side effect of 5G upgrades to cellular networks.”
Additional helpful and informative links
- As history unfolds, I pledge to take the COVID-19 vaccine - by UW President Ana Mari Cauce
- It could be more than 6 months before the COVID-19 vaccine is available for all Washingtonians – KING5 News
- Hospitals discover a surprise in their vaccine deliveries: Extra doses – The New York Times
- Labeling confusion led to wasted doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in first days of rollout – Stat News
- What is the difference between Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines? – KOMO News
- What you need to know about Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, which is likely to get cleared this week – The Boston Globe
- Over-the-counter home test for COVID-19 gets U.S. green light – The Seattle Times
- You were exposed to COVID-19. Does everyone in your house have to quarantine? – The Inquirer
- When can we start making plans? – The New York Times
- How effective is the mask you’re wearing? You may know soon – The New York Times
- What type of mask works best and how to wear it to slow the spread of coronavirus - The Seattle Times
- Seattle health experts say outreach is key to addressing vaccine skepticism among Black Americans – KING5 News
- How do we grieve 300,000 lives lost? - NPR
- British officials identify coronavirus mutations, but significance remains unclear – The Washington Post
- What it’s like to watch your loved one die from COVID-19 - The Washington Post
- America's newest water safety challenge is something you've never heard of - CNN
- Homeless people at hotel must move out, Renton City Council decides – The Seattle Times
- How WA youth shelters are handling online learning - Crosscut
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Photo by Ted S. Warren, The Associated Press via The Seattle Times
News outlets across the country – and even in the U.K. – covered the poignant story of a Washington state elector who, despite having a terminal illness, was able to take one final, patriotic action. I personally have known Jack Arends since the late 1990s when he edited the Queen Anne & Magnolia News, and can only imagine how meaningful it was for him to cast this final vote.
According to a story in The Washington Post (run in The Seattle Times), “As Washington state elector Jack Arends registered his vote for President-elect Joe Biden on Monday, his voice cracked with emotion. Then, Arends, 64, told the chamber that a doctor last month had diagnosed him with an untreatable, terminal condition.”
“[In] November I was told there is no more medical treatment that can help me so it was important for me to do this one thing that I could do while I still can,” said Arends… After his speech, Arends placed his microphone on the desk, crossed his arms over his face, and sobbed breathlessly as another elector came to his side to comfort him.”
The story also ran in The New York Times, The Hill, The Guardian, The HuffPost, and many other publications.
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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