COVID-19 UPDATES
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.
Since Saturday’s update (the numbers for Sunday were not available), Public Health -- Seattle & King County is reporting these numbers as of this afternoon:
- 367 new positive cases of COVID-19 (77,017 total).
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,264 total)
- 28 new hospitalizations (4,815 to date)
- The numbers for Sunday, January 31st, are not available.
- On Saturday, January 30th, Public Health reported 305 new positive cases of COVID-19 (76,650 total) and 15 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,264 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 16 (4,787 total).
- On Friday, January 29th, Public Health reported 633 new positive cases of COVID-19 (76,345 total) and 7 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,249 total). The number of new hospitalizations was 8 (4,771 total).
Statewide, according to the DOH, as of today, the total number of confirmed positive cases is 299,098. The total number of probable cases is 14,237, for a total of 313,335 cases. The total number of deaths statewide is 4,318, and total hospitalizations are 17,812. For comparative purposes, Massachusetts just hit the 500,000 positive test cases number today whereas Washington is just under 300,000 and we have a larger population.
   
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
King County launches COVID-19 vaccination sites in Kent and Auburn to provide access for vulnerable older adults
 The County opened two new community vaccination sites today in Kent and Auburn to expand vaccine access to the most vulnerable older adults in south King County. Establishing these sites now will help prepare for high-volume community access once more vaccine becomes available. The amount of vaccine is still limited at this time.
Note, though, that because of very large demand and inadequate supply of vaccine, the minimum eligible age has been increased for these two facilities to 75. This is very unfortunate but officials are optimistic that the supply coming to the County from the federal government via the state Department of Health will be increasing.
For further information, including eligibility, how to register, locations and more, read the article on the Public Health Insider blog and see the news release here.
For assistance registering by phone: Call Washington state’s COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press # for help with registration by phone. For language interpretation state your preferred language when you are connected.
Assistance for seniors with barriers to online access to COVID-19 information
Some older adults and others have children, family or friends to help them navigate the online resources related to COVID-19, but many do not. Community Living Connections of Seattle & King County is stepping up to provide telephone navigation services for seniors who need help navigating the state’s Phase Finder or scheduling a vaccination appointment.
Call their service center toll free at 1-844-348-5464 to connect with an advocate ready to help you navigate the vaccination process. It’s a good example of the significance of the “digital divide” in our communities. The Council will continue to address this in our decision-making on how to allocate future federal CARES Act funding we hope to receive soon once Congress passes Covid Recovery Funds (CRF) legislation.
Video: Dr. Jeff Duchin on COVID-19 trends & vaccine rollout
 On Friday, January 29th, Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin updated the media and the public on trends in COVID-19 cases and shared information on COVID vaccination efforts. A video of the press conference can be viewed on this page. Dr. Duchin is holding press conferences most Fridays so stay tuned.
Essential workers in the Food and Agricultural Sector may be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
The Food and Agricultural Sector, as defined by Washington state, is composed of complex production, processing, and delivery systems in order to feed people and animals both within and outside of the U.S. This sector includes many workers who are considered essential because they are vital to maintaining and securing Washington’s food supply. You can find more information on the Phase Finder site, at the County’s vaccination webpage, or at the state Department of Health (DOH)’s vaccine page: covidvaccinewa.org.
“Special” access to vaccines
As I mentioned in our last e-newsletter, I am quite disturbed by this trend of people seeking ways to “cut in line” in order to get a vaccine, including receiving special invitations as Board members and donors from hospitals. This behavior directly affects the health of others, due to the scarcity of available vaccine doses. I am preparing a motion for the Council to address this unconscionable practice. Here are a few of the latest news articles on this trend:
- ‘Special invitation only’ COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Seattle-area hospitals raise concerns of equity- The Seattle Times
- Seattle mayor calls on Washington state to ban special vaccine access to donors, route vaccines to community health clinics - The Seattle Times
- Washington hospital system rebuked after offering vaccine to donors – AP/ OPB
- After Washington hospitals invite donors to get COVID-19 vaccines, state health officials issue public warning – KING 5 News
- Following reports of preferences for donors in vaccine distribution, Mayor Durkan calls on state department of health to reassess distribution model to prioritize most vulnerable – Press Release, Mayor’s office
However, according to The New York Times, there’s some good news about vaccines:
- Good Vaccine News: And what else you need to know today.
The mask question - - a helpful overview
 Photo by Vera Davidova on Unsplash
- Covid-19 masks: Which mask is best for you, and when to use it - CNN
Inslee issues proclamation related to COVID-19 and foster care age limits
Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday issued a proclamation to ensure, as required by federal law, that persons receiving extended foster care services don't "age out" at 21 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the recently enacted federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Congress prohibited states from refusing extended foster care services to persons who either have or will become "too old" to be eligible for services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proclamation 21-02 aligns state law with this requirement.
“Y’all getting vaccinated?”: A discussion about racism, medicine, COVID-19 vaccines and the Black community: February 8 at 6 p.m. on Zoom
 Join Black health professionals and community leaders for “Y’all getting vaccinated?,” an important conversation on racism, medicine, COVID-19 vaccines and the Black community. They keynote speaker will be Dr. Ben Danielson. The discussion will start with a review of health injustice faced by the Black community, from Tuskegee to the deep disparities of this global pandemic and its toll on the Black community. The Zoom link will be shared a few days before the event, which takes place next Monday, February 8th, at 6 p.m. To RSVP click here. See this Facebook page for more information.
Strengthening Vaccine Efforts in Indian Country: Results from a UIHI National COVID-19 Vaccination Survey
The Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) administered an online survey to better understand COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions among American Indians and Alaska Natives nationwide. The analyses and recommendations presented in this report can be used to inform the development and delivery of culturally attuned COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, education materials, and programs for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. To view the key findings and to read the report, click here.
Flushing out COVID – 19 at the UW’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS)
 Photo by Simone Del Rosario/Q13 News.
Using milk to extract the novel coronavirus from wastewater could help pinpoint new outbreaks. I find this very intriguing. Above, DEOHS PhD student Sarah Philo (left) and research scientist Angelo Ong survey Seattle's wastewater for COVID-19.
Public health briefing tomorrow at 1 p.m.
The County Council will receive a briefing on COVID vaccines tomorrow February 2nd, from Public Health at 1 p.m. The Council will also vote on a proclamation of February 2021 as Black History Month in King County. The public is welcome to view the proceedings and provide public comment. Full instructions, as well as meeting materials, are available here.
COVID-19 in the legal system: Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
Another conversation you may be interested in joining this week will be taking place in the Council’s Law and Justice Committee tomorrow, Tuesday morning, at 9:30 a.m. The topic for discussion will be COVID-19 Public Health Compliance in County Courts and Jail. The briefing will likely begin relatively early in the meeting; additional information on the meeting itself is available here.
Implementation plan for Health Through Housing on agenda for Wednesday, February 3
At this Wednesday’s meeting of the Council of the Whole taking place at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom, Councilmembers will request an implementation plan from the Executive on the Health Through Housing program involved in purchasing old unused hotels and other facilities for up to 2,000 individuals with behavioral health conditions and those who are chronically unhoused, in order to guide our spending of the 0.01% sales tax increase approved by the Council last fall. In addition, County Budget Director Dwight Dively will be providing a briefing on the status of the County response to COVID-19.
For details on joining the meeting and to view meeting materials, click here. For information on the Health Through Housing program, see this County press release: Council Passes Unprecedented Funding to Create Supportive Housing.
Update on pandemic assistance at Regional Policy Committee meeting next week, February 10th at 3 p.m.
County Budget Director Dwight Dively will update the Council’s Regional Policy Committee (RPC) on the status of the County’s pandemic assistance programs. Also on the agenda is a briefing on the Best Start for Kids levy renewal proposal that could be placed on the ballot next August. Instructions for viewing the briefing and the agenda and meeting materials will be available prior to the meeting at the RPC website here.
Advance notice: Facing the crisis of drug-resistant germs, Thursday, February 18th
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown what happens when we let our guard down against infectious disease, despite years of increasingly loud warnings. So now is the time to heed those same warnings about antibiotic-resistant germs. STAT brings together a panel of experts, from policymakers to corporate executives, to chart a path to progress. Thursday, February 18th at 10 a.m. PT. Click here for more information.
State task force report details policies to stabilize and sustain child care industry and increase affordability for Washington families
 The Washington State Department of Commerce released a new report finding that lack of affordable child care is keeping more than 133,000 potential workers out of the workforce, and includes recommendations to make child care more affordable. See this article for more information. You may also be interested in this opinion piece from The News Tribune: Tacoma mom: Childcare access eludes families like mine with two working parents.
To get daily news updates on the state legislature
The 2021 legislative session began a few weeks ago and some of you may be interested in receiving “The Daily E-Clips,” a roundup of relevant news stories compiled by the state House and Senate staff. To sign up to receive these updates, see this page.
Vashon Island information and resources
I know from our reader surveys that several of you live on Vashon, so am including this information from Councilmember McDermott’s office. The Vashon Emergency Operations Center (EOC) sends out a Situation Report twice weekly to update the community on the latest information and resources available on Vashon Island. Produced through the joint efforts of Voice of Vashon, Vashon Fire, and VashonBePrepared.org, this valuable resource includes the latest information on vaccine availability, local case counts, and volunteer activities. Sign up to receive updates every Tuesday and Friday here.
DID YOU KNOW?
…that lunar cycles can affect our sleep? Scientists, including some at the UW, published a paper which finds that “In the days leading up to a full moon, people go to sleep later in the evening and sleep for shorter periods of time.” See this article in UW News for more information.
Additional helpful and informative links
- UW lab calls for ‘extra vigilance’ after discovering COVID-19 variant that could ‘take over’ – Q13
- What does the more contagious strain of coronavirus in Washington state mean, and what can be done? – The Seattle Times
- Twenty crew on vessel arriving in Dutch Harbor from Seattle test positive for COVID-19 in latest seafood industry outbreak – The Seattle Times (My staff and I are looking into having fishers be able to get vaccinated prior to leaving in the fleet for Alaskan waters. At this point, only those 65 or older are eligible.)
- Seattle-area residents tell of ‘massively frustrating’ efforts to get COVID-19 vaccine – The Seattle Times
- Washington lawmakers look for ways to exit the eviction moratorium — and prevent the fallout – The Seattle Times (Fortunately, King County has received $45 million to provide for tenants to avoid being evicted, but the demand is much greater than the funds available.)
- COVID-19 pandemic takes social and emotional toll on Washington’s youngest learners - – The Seattle Times
- ‘Get Ready’ plan would vaccinate Washington teachers more efficiently — but not move them up the priority queue – The Seattle Times
- When a hospital refrigerator in Seattle broke, nurses gave 1,600 vaccine shots to anyone they could find. (Even in the middle of the night.) – The New York Times
- How a Native American COVID-19 vaccine rollout is a model for community-centered approaches – The Seattle Times
- US Coronavirus Cases and Deaths: Track COVID-19 data daily by state and county – US Facts
- COVID-19 numbers are dipping in the US, even as variants are lurking and the vaccine rollout lags - CNN
- Are the coronavirus vaccines safe for someone with cancer or dementia? – The Seattle Times
- As COVID vaccine rollout expands, Black Americans still left behind – NBC News
- Everyone’s just super happy’ as Seattle pop-up clinic vaccinates grocery workers against COVID-19 – The Seattle Times
- Out of sight, cleaners perform critical work in COVID ICUs – The Seattle Times
- Goodbye heels, hello 'lady-stache': Many women ditch beauty routines for good – USA Today
- When COVID-19 restrictions ease, what are you most looking forward to doing? – The Seattle Times
- Performers and performance spaces develop new ways to create and connect during the pandemic – The Seattle Times
- New Yorkers lunge, twist and zumba their way through the pandemic together – NPR
- As climate proposals move through Legislature, offset provisions are causing controversy – KNKX
Today’s moment of inspiration
 Screenshot of Henry Darby from ABC 7
Henry Darby, a high-school principal at North Charleston High School in South Carolina, was seeing more and more of his students and their families struggling. ABC 7 reports that Darby started working the night shift at Walmart three nights a week – in addition to his day job – and donating the income to people in need. According to the story, “His decision to stand and deliver has led to close to $100,000 in donations from all over the country. Now that Darby's story has gone viral, Walmart has donated $50,000 to North Charleston High School.”
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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