COVID-19 UPDATES
You will notice some “data adjustments” in the data reported below. These adjusted numbers reflect ongoing efforts to clean up the data to make sure it is as accurate as possible.
Updated numbers for today in King County are not available due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance.
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 Sunday, January 17th, Public Health reported -292 new positive cases of COVID-19 (data adjustment, 71,982 total) and -9 new COVID-19-related deaths (data adjustment, 1,179 total). The number of new hospitalizations was -72 (data adjustment, 4,593 total).
- On Saturday, January 16th, Public Health reported 1,043 new positive cases of COVID-19 (72,274 total) and 8 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,188 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 99 (4,665 total).
- On Friday, January 15th, Public Health reported 684 new positive cases of COVID-19 (71,231 total) and 15 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,180 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 71 (4,566 total).
January 17 data note from the state DOH: The total case counts may include up to 950 duplicates. Negative test results data from 11/21/2020 through 11/30/2020 and from 12/30/2020 through today are incomplete. Therefore, percent positivity and case counts should be interpreted with caution.
Due to data system issues this weekend, local health jurisdictions were not able to reconcile hospitalization numbers this weekend. Therefore, hospitalization numbers should be interpreted with caution. In observance of Martin Luther King Holiday, there will not be any COVID-19 dashboard updates on 1/18/2021. DOH will resume normal dashboard updates on 1/19/2021.
Statewide, according to the DOH, as of yesterday, the total number of confirmed positive cases is 277,404. The total number of probable cases is 12,535, for a total of 289,939 cases. The total number of deaths statewide is 3,903, and total hospitalizations are 16,558.
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Inslee announces state plan for widespread vaccine distribution and administration
 Governor Inslee today announced a significant and very welcome expansion of the state’s vaccination plan, with the goal of vaccinating 45,000 Washingtonians each day. The new plan opens up vaccinations to the next group of eligible individuals - - those who are 65 and over or 50 and over living in multigenerational households. It is important to recognize that 85% of our region’s COVID-19 deaths have been among the over-65 population.
Included in the plan is the Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center, a new statewide public-private partnership to boost vaccine distribution efforts. The collaboration includes Washington corporations, labor unions, health care groups and government entities. Read the full announcement here, and see this article in The Seattle Times: Inslee accelerates COVID-19 vaccinations and makes everyone 65 and older eligible now.
Also, see this blog post from Public Health – Seattle & King County: Expanding vaccination to older adults in King County. I am very pleased with the new procedures and eligibilities!
Update on vaccinations in King County
 It is discouraging that it is taking longer than we’d hoped to get the vaccine distributed. To date, 67% of the doses allocated to King County have been administered - - we are doing much better than the rest of the state and are working closely with the state to increase the County’s allocation of vaccine doses and its ability to quickly administer the vaccines.
However, there continues to be insufficient supply of vaccine doses. As was reported in the press, there was no stockpile of COVID-19 vaccines to release, despite claims from the federal government. It’s frustrating that the current administration has not provided transparency into the production of doses – and this remains a critical bottleneck. The County is in discussion with the incoming federal administration to address this problem.
At tomorrow’s meeting of the full County Council, my colleague, Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and I along with Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Peter von Reichbauer are bringing forward a motion relating to equitable access and efficient and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations to King County residents, and we would like to see action taken on this item tomorrow. See below for more information on tomorrow’s Council meeting. Given the Governor’s new actions, we are likely to amend the motion accordingly.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines:
 The following pages are excellent sources for information on the vaccines, including comprehensive FAQs and information in multiple languages. These pages are updated frequently, so hit “refresh” on your web browser, and scroll down to see all the content.
- Getting vaccinated in King County
- COVID-19 vaccine/King County
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine/DOH
- See this newly updated visual timeline to see when different population groups are expected to become eligible for vaccinations between now and this summer.
As of today, January 18, the state is now in Phase 1B-Tier 1 of vaccine distribution. The vaccine is available to anyone over age 65, and all people over 50 who also live in a multigenerational household. This is in addition to populations eligible during phase 1A including health care workers at high risk for COVID-19 infection, first responders, people who live or work in long-term care facilities, and all other workers in health settings who are at risk of COVID-19. Learn more about who can get the vaccine and when.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has created Phase Finder, an online self-assessment so that people can find out if they are eligible for vaccination. The pilot version of Phase Finder is at findyourphasewa.com.
If you can’t use the online Phase Finder tool and have no one to assist you, you can get help over the phone from Washington state’s COVID-19 Assistance Hotline: Dial 1-800-525-0127, then press #. Available Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and observed state holidays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (If someone can assist, Phase Finder may save time.)
Recent news coverage of COVID-19 vaccination efforts
- Editorial: State must come clean about delayed COVID-19 vaccine rollout – The Seattle Times
- Delay in vaccinating most Washington K-12 teachers, staff alarms legislators, union - The Seattle Times
- Opinion: States and hospitals: overhaul your vaccine plans with data before it’s too late – Stat News
- Adult family homes are called a COVID-19 vaccination priority in Washington state, but many of the 3,000 have no clear path to receiving shots - The Seattle Times
- Clinics, pop-ups and churches: How Washington might double or triple COVID-19 vaccination rates - The Seattle Times
- Huge response to a mass COVID-19 vaccination site in Sequim is likely preview of what’s to come - The Seattle Times
- More than half of states widen access to vaccine, raising hopes as well as chaos – The New York Times
- When will we reach herd immunity? What about vaccines for 65- to 69-year-olds? Q&A with Washington state’s health secretary - The Seattle Times
- Vaccine reserve was already exhausted when Trump administration vowed to release it, dashing hopes of expanded access - The Seattle Times
- Answering health professionals’ COVID-19 vaccination questions – American Medical Association (AMA)
- Old people at home will get vaccinated, but maybe not their caregivers, state announces – NW Asian Weekly
- How anti-vaccine movement could hurt efforts to end pandemic – KUOW
- Opinion: ICE must provide COVID-19 vaccines to all detained migrants – Stat News
- Feds shift COVID-19 vaccine focus to people 65 and over or with underlying conditions - AARP
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout: COVID-19 & Racial Inequities
 The Forum at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, NPR (National Public Radio) and the UW are hosting a panel looking at the vaccine rollout and racial inequities. The discussion will take place this Friday, January 22nd at 9 a.m. PST and will be live streamed on Facebook and on The Forum website. There is no registration required to watch the event online.
Send questions for the panelists in advance or during the Q&A: theforum@hsph.harvard.edu or post them to @ForumHSPH
The panel will be moderated by Jake Grumbach (University of Washington) and panelists will include Hedwig Lee (Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Sociology), Jamila Michener (Cornell University, Department of Government), India Ornelas (University of Washington, School of Public Health), and Gabe Sanchez (University of New Mexico Political Science and Robert Wood Johnson Health Center Director).
State Department of Health (DOH) forming COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Collaborative
The state DOH is putting together a Collaborative to help ensure the agency conducts effective outreach and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine to all communities, in particular those at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The DOH is seeking interested organizations and individuals to participate and encourage people to submit this interest form by Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
New report looks at COVID-19 Impact on Urban Indians in Washington state
The Urban Indian Health Institute released a new report on the impact of the pandemic on organizations providing direct services to urban Native Americans. You can read the summary or download the full report here.
New program to help hospitality workers impacted by COVID-19
 If you or someone you know who works in the hospitality industry is struggling to meet basic needs during the pandemic, a new program may provide some assistance. The City of Seattle has partnered with Wellspring Family Services to provide one-time cash assistance for workers in the hospitality industry who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are available to low-income workers who live and work in Seattle and have lost their jobs or had their hours cut because of business changes during the COVID-19 crisis.
To apply, or learn more about the program, visit this website in English, or this site in Spanish.
These benefits are available regardless of the person’s immigration status. See these FAQs for more information.
Using technology to help heal health care disparities
See this opinion editorial in Stat News about the need for the technology industry to use technology to address health disparities in our nation's communities.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will lead examination of institutional racism and diversity practices at Seattle Children’s Hospital
Seattle Children’s Hospital has announced that former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder of Covington & Burling will lead an examination of institutional racism, equity, inclusion, and diversity practices at the Hospital.
This follows reports of long-term, ongoing, systemic racism at Children’s that were brought to light when Odessa Brown Clinic Director Dr. Ben Danielson resigned in protest. The clinic is part of the Hospital. Dr. Danielson is a widely respected physician with whom I served on the County’s Board of Health.
The charges he brought forward rightfully in my view resulted in the forced resignation of Dr. Jim Hendricks, president of Seattle Children’s Research Institute. This new announcement from Seattle Children’s is a most welcome development.
Full Council meets tomorrow; will take up proclamations on MLK Month and Human Trafficking Awareness Month and a proposal to increase equitable access to the COVID vaccine
A full session of the County Council will be held (virtually, on zoom) tomorrow, January 19th at 1 p.m. The public is welcome to view the proceedings and offer public comment. Full instructions, as well as the agenda and meeting materials are available here.
As I mention above in the update on the County’s vaccination efforts, my colleague, Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and I are bringing forward a motion relating to equitable access and efficient and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations to King County residents. Preceding this will be a briefing on the situation by Public Health Director Patty Hayes and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin.
In addition, Council Chair Balducci and Councilmember Zahilay are introducing a Proclamation declaring January 2021 as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Month in King County.
I am also introducing a Proclamation with Councilmember Reagan Dunn declaring January 2021 Human Trafficking Awareness Month in King County, as human trafficking remains an urgent and often overlooked issue is our region. Much of my legislative career has been dedicated to combating human trafficking, and one of the most important elements of it has been increasing awareness of the issue as a whole.
Learning how to recognize the signs and where to seek help is one of the most basic ways that we as individuals can contribute to the safety of our community.
I’m pleased we have partners at the city, county, state and regional level that are so committed to elevating this conversation and continuing the fight.
Special Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
The Council will hold a special meeting of the Committee of the Whole this Wednesday, January 20 at 10 a.m. Councilmembers will be briefed on the Executive’s COVID-19 response by County Budget Director Dwight Dively as well as deliberate on the appointment of a new District Court Judge. The public is welcome to view the proceedings and offer public comment. Full instructions, as well as the agenda and meeting materials are available here.
County Board of Health meeting this Thursday, January 21 at 1 p.m.
 At the Board of Health meeting this Thursday, Councilmembers will have an update from Public Health Director Patty Hayes on COVID-19 and vaccinations in the County. The Board will also take up a resolution encouraging the Washington state Legislature to address racism as a public health crisis including funding for Foundational Public Health Services and other vital policy strategies, as well as a resolution regarding what’s been going on at Children’s Hospital.
The public is welcome to view the proceedings and offer public comment. Full instructions, as well as the agenda and meeting materials are available here.
Roadmap to recovery update: All regions staying in Phase 1 for now
 On Friday, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that based on Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, all eight (8) regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, January 25, 2021.
As outlined in the governor’s COVID-19 plan, regions must meet four metrics in order to move into Phase 2. These metrics provide an overview of current COVID-19 trends and healthcare system readiness in each region. The four metrics are:
Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100k population.
Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Less than 90% Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy.
COVID-19 test positivity of less than 10%.
DOH will reassess all the metrics each week and announce any changes to current phase status every Friday. You may also be interested in these Seattle Times articles:
- What is the Healthy Washington COVID-19 reopening plan and how does it work?
- None of Washington state’s eight regions is ready for Phase 2 of reopening plan
Sharing thoughts on this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
 As I mentioned in my introduction, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to non-violence, especially in light of the events on January 6th (but find it helpful to think of that commitment throughout the year, not solely on this day of commemoration). His words are particularly relevant to all Americans at this time. I shared some of my thoughts about Dr. King in this brief video that was presented at a program last Friday at a Seattle Colleges program.
You may also be interested in this article in The New York Times: The words of Martin Luther King Jr. reverberate in a tumultuous time. I found this quote from Dr. King in the article to be especially pertinent to our times: “Oh no, Brother Gray. This is no ploy at all. If we are to succeed, I am now convinced that an absolutely nonviolent method must be ours amid the vast hostilities we face.” (Dr. King’s response in 1955 to a suggestion that his nonviolence tactics were for attention.)
DID YOU KNOW?
… that the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, site of the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., later became part of the National Civil Rights Museum and the South Main Street Historic District?
Additional helpful and informative links
- Still going to the grocery store? With new virus variants spreading, it’s probably time to stop. – Vox
- Coronavirus has gotten 'smarter and faster,' King County health official warns, as cases rise again – Seattle PI
- Are new coronavirus variants already in Washington state? With limited surveillance it’s hard to know – The Seattle Times
- Washington lawmakers weigh bill exempting businesses from taxes on COVID-19 aid – The Seattle Times
- How to think about traveling now that COVID vaccines are out – Bloomberg News
- VIDEO: Face it! You're bad at judging physical distance. Here's how to do it - NPR
- Opinion: Are more people surviving COVID-19 because doctors are doing less? – Stat News
- Coronavirus FAQ: Do airplane passengers not know there's a pandemic going on? - KUOW
- Lawmakers introduce bill to award Congressional Gold Medal to hero officer – NBC News
- Rising temperatures linked to poorer diets for children, says global study – The Independent
Today’s moments of inspiration and adorable-ness
 For those of us who love animals, this video is a much-needed respite from our difficult days. Three minutes of unabashed cuteness.
And this article in Crosscut shows what can be done with some imagination: Six new Seattle art spaces defying COVID.
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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