COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers:
- 110 new positive cases of COVID-19 (includes 94 confirmed cases and 16 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 116,788).
- 0 new COVID-19-related deaths (1,681 to date – data adjustment)
- 9 new hospitalizations (6,678 to date)
Vaccination rates in King County: As of today, 81.6% of King County residents 16 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 76.0% have received both doses.
Among all eligible residents (those 12 years and older), as of today, 80.7% of King County residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 74.9% have received both doses.
To view updated County vaccination data, see this page: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/data/vaccination.aspx
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.
Statewide, according to the state Department of Health (DOH), as of today:
-The number of confirmed positive cases is 431,031; the number of probable cases is 40,458, for a total of 471,489 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 6,100
- The total number of hospitalizations is 26,634
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quote of the Day: “I am uncompromising in the matter of woman's rights. In my opinion she should labour under no legal disability not suffered by man, I should treat the daughters and sons on a footing of perfect equality.” - Mohandas Gandhi, 1929
Tomorrow at 11 a.m.: King County Health Officer to provide update on recent increase in COVID-19 transmission and vaccine distribution
Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin of Public Health – Seattle & King County will brief the public and take questions from reporters tomorrow, Friday, July 30th at 11 a.m. He will discuss the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and share information on COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The briefing will be livestreamed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County Facebook page @KCPubHealth.
Yesterday’s announcement on mask wearing at Governor’s press conference
 Gov. Inslee held a press conference yesterday in response to the surge in new COVID cases, mainly driven by the delta variant, which spreads far more easily than the original strain of the virus. You can view the press conference in full here on TVW.
The Governor posted on his Facebook page yesterday, saying, in part: “I am asking vaccinated Washingtonians statewide to consider wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. This is a recommendation, not a requirement. Unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear a mask indoors.
We are also continuing our existing school guidance, which matches with the CDC’s masking guidance for the upcoming school year in K-12. All students and employees will be required to wear masks around each other in school buildings. We have to prevent the spread of COVID in our schools if we want to remain learning in-person.”
The state Department of Health yesterday released updated guidance for the 2021-2022 school year. You can read the guidance document (pdf) here.
Also, see this article from The Seattle Times: Washington’s governor urges the vaccinated to wear masks indoors in certain counties, won’t impose new mandates.
New King County data: Inequitable health impacts of COVID-19 reflect the intersections of social and economic factors
Signs since early in the pandemic have shown that COVID-19 more greatly impacts communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. Newly available data from Public Health—Seattle & King County (PHSKC) illustrates how these different impacts are associated with social and economic inequities that existed long before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full story here.
City of Seattle to end its role in COVID testing and vaccination
The City of Seattle has been a key partner for King County in the fight against COVID since the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday, the City announced that, with 82 percent of eligible Seattle residents having received at least one vaccine dose, it is going to transition away from providing COVID testing and vaccination, leaving that to the County and UW Medicine, which has also been a key partner. Details are available at the link above or you can read more in this article from The Seattle Times: City of Seattle to hand off COVID testing sites to UW Medicine, close its last vaccine clinic.
The latest news on COVID-19
- Opinion: Circumventing Covid-19 with better ventilation and air quality – Stat News
- Concerns over spread of Delta variant affecting the economy – KOMO News
- California will require many health care workers, and all state employees, to get shots or tested regularly – The New York Times
- Biden pushes federal workers — hard — to get vaccinated – AP News
- In most Washington counties, fewer than a third of eligible kids are vaccinated against COVID-19 – The Seattle Times
- Editorial: Mask up against deadly new COVID variant – The Seattle Times
- What is a COVID-19 vaccine 'breakthrough' case? – AP News
Federal eviction moratorium to expire unless Congress acts
This AP / Seattle Times article includes important information, including the impact in Washington State: Biden to allow eviction moratorium to expire Saturday.
County passes eighth COVID emergency budget
As Chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, I am pleased to report that the County Council approved our most recent COVID emergency budget on Tuesday. We approved more than $389 million to address our Superior and District courts’ backlog and provide community support, rental assistance, and more in the latest round of emergency COVID funding. This, the eighth round of COVID funding since March of 2020, brings the County’s total emergency funding for the pandemic to more than $1.4 billion.
This COVID budget allocates resources to ensure access to justice by addressing the historic backlogs and delays in the courts due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is crucially important in order that crime victims, such as survivors of physical and sexual assault and domestic violence, can seek resolution, that citizens can access legal aid and the courts to resolve disputes, and that individuals accused of a crime can receive a speedy trial.
The funding also covers a variety of programs and operations that address both direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic, including health, housing, economic impacts, and more.
Read more in this article from The Seattle Times: King County Council approves $42 million for backlogged court system and you may also be interested in these articles:
- King County Council approves $42M for court backlog – AP News
- King County councilmembers secure funding to hire more sheriff’s deputies – MyNorthwest
- King County Council approves $42M budget to help with backlog at courthouse – KOMO News
- Council approves more than $389 million for courts backlog, community supports, rental assistance, and more in latest round of emergency COVID funding – County Council press release
Tuesday, August 3rd is Election Day!
 If you have not yet filled out your ballot and still have questions about the candidates, you may want to check out the County’s Video Voter’s Guide here.
We will have Vote Centers open for those who need in-person assistance with registration or voting. Otherwise, ballot drop boxes are located throughout the County and will be open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you send in your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, August 3.
For full information on the election, voter registration, voting and returning your ballot, see the County Elections Department webpage or contact the Elections Department staff by email at comments.elections@kingcounty.gov or phone at 206.296.VOTE.
Council appoints new Director for Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO)
On Tuesday, the Council appointed Tamer Abouzeid, an attorney, mediator, community organizer and policy professional, to serve as the new director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight. You may be interested in this article from The Seattle Times: Chicago attorney, activist picked as King County’s new director of Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.
Executive Constantine signs executive order to restart inquests of officer-involved deaths
After a unanimous decision in the Washington State Supreme Court upholding King County's process for conducting inquests, King County Executive Dow Constantine yesterday issued an executive order that further refines the proceedings, setting the stage for restarting delayed inquests and reviewing dozens of other officer-involved deaths. You can read the executive order (pdf) here.
County plans $96 million in purchase agreements for Health Through Housing properties in Federal Way, Pioneer Square, and North Seattle
The County today announced purchase agreements for three additional properties funded by Health Through Housing, bringing the total acquisitions for the initiative to eight properties. Once purchased, these new former hotels located in Federal Way, Pioneer Square, and North Seattle, will provide 313 safe, affordable homes for King County’s chronically homeless residents. One of the properties, the former Extended Stay America in North Seattle is located in my district, County District Four, at 13300 Stone Ave North and contains 131 units and brings the total in the district to three.
Reminder: Waterworks grants application deadline this Saturday
 Do you have an idea for a way to improve water quality in King County, specifically in Council District Four? Your project may be eligible for grant funding through the Council-based WaterWorks Program! Applications close this Saturday, July 31st. More information on eligibility, dates, and how to apply is available here. If your project is in District Four (my district), please email clara.manahan@kingcounty.gov with questions. For other districts, please contact your Councilmember or their staff.
Preparing King County farms for extreme summer conditions
 Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
The County’s Local Food Initiative is working to help County farmers deal with extreme heat. During the extreme heat at the end of June, the extreme temperatures presented additional challenges for farmers in terms of working safely outdoors and protecting vulnerable livestock and crops. The Local Food Initiative, in partnership with the County Department of Natural Resources and Parks and the King County Agriculture Commission, put together this list of recommendations and resources to help farmers prepare for stressful summer conditions like heat, drought, and wildfires.
You may also be interested in these articles:
- ‘Trying to survive’: Wells dry up amid Oregon water woes – AP/The Seattle Times
- Climate change is driving deadly weather disasters from Arizona to Mumbai - KUOW
August 17 deadline for grant funding from King Conservation District
 Photo from King Conservation District
King Conservation District (not part of King County) is supporting the economic and environmental sustainability of working agricultural lands in King County through Regional Food System Program Grant funds. The program funds projects that support the goals of the County’s Local Food Initiative and contribute to the economic viability of local farmers, encourage new farmers, expand acreage in food production, improve food access, and increase demand for King County farm products. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on August 17th. Click to read more about the grant process and access the application documents.
Tomorrow is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
 Leading up to tomorrow's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, I hope you’ll join me in supporting the efforts of survivors to raise awareness, support victims and work along with policy makers to #EndHumanTrafficking.
If you have the time, I strongly recommend attending the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The event is virtual and registration is free.
A visit to FOB Hope, an organization for homeless veterans
 Recently, I was very pleased to meet with Monique Brown, Founder and Executive Director of FOB Hope, an organization that serves veterans who are struggling or experiencing homelessness. It serves individuals throughout the County, including District Four, and over the past two years our office has been able to help it secure a retired Metro Van as well as $5,000 to continue its work. We met at the Olympic Sculpture Park to chat, and I was thrilled to see FOB Hope’s van shining in the sun! Thank you, Monique and FOB-Hope for the work you do and continue to do!
DID YOU KNOW?
... that, according to HistoryLink, on this day in 1968, Seattle police raided a Black Panther office in Seattle’s Central Area, setting off riots? You may also be interested in reading more at the Seattle Black Panther Party History and Memory Project, from the UW’s Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project.
Additional helpful and informative links
- Editorial: Help connect former foster-care youth with welcome federal aid – The Seattle Times
- Regional Homelessness Director Marc Dones: “The driver of homelessness is economic.” – Publicola
- King County Council seeks standards on when and how to clear homeless encampments – The Seattle Times
- Future of King County’s Best Starts for Kids program is up to voters – The Seattle Times
- King County licensing, recording and animal services still virtual – Queen Anne & Magnolia News
- King County Public Health shuts down five food sellers at Alki – West Seattle Blog
- Mayor Durkan announces community-based programs, responding to gun violence spike – The South Seattle Emerald
- Seattle Mayor Durkan calls for more officers after string of deadly shootings – KUOW
- Mothers demand more action against gun violence – KOMO News
Today’s moment of inspiration
Photo from Nancy Washburn / Queen Anne & Magnolia News
Today’s Moment comes from our own backyard! According to the Queen Anne & Magnolia News, “In honor of her 80th birthday in 2019, Magnolia resident Nancy Washburn didn’t want a big party. All she wanted was for her family to build a tiny house to benefit a person in Seattle who was experiencing homelessness.”
Although the pandemic postponed their plans by a year, Tim and Nancy Washburn – with the help of about 20 volunteers – built the home, which is scheduled to be placed in the Interbay tiny house village later this summer. Read the full story here. Thank you, Nancy and Tim!
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I am now sending out on Mondays and Thursdays, although there will be no Monday e-newsletter on August 2 and August 9. 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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