COVID-19 UPDATES
As of today, Public Health -- Seattle & King County (Public Health) is reporting these numbers for the last seven and last fourteen days:
- 41,271 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the last seven days (includes 39,298 confirmed cases and 1,973 probable cases. Total number of cases to date is 264,207). These numbers include 4,787 new cases since yesterday, January 12th.
- 44 new COVID-19-related deaths in the last two weeks (2,220 to date). That number includes 2 new deaths since yesterday, January 12th.
- 441 new hospitalizations in the last seven days (9,931 to date). That number includes 52 new hospitalizations since yesterday, January 12th.
These numbers unfortunately reflect major increases. To see the progression of the virus in King County since our last newsletter, you can view screenshots of the Daily Dashboard here. Note the correct date appears when you click on the document (one day earlier than is listed). The data are not updated over the weekends.
Vaccination rates in King County:
Among eligible King County residents 12 years and older, as of yesterday, 93.7% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 86.5% have received both doses. Among residents 5 years and older, as of today, 90.0% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 82.5% have received both doses.
- View updated County vaccination data here.
- View COVID outcomes according to vaccination status here.
To view a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by race and ethnicity, 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 901,887; the number of probable cases is 123,435, for a total of 1,025,322 cases.
- The total number of deaths statewide is 10,143
- The total number of hospitalizations is 48,603
The graphs below show the cases, hospitalizations and deaths in King County.
  
COVID AND OTHER UPDATES
Quotes of the Day: “We admired Dr. King. We felt his loss as our own... Such events remain as wounds in the human consciousness, reminding us of battles, yet to be fought and tasks still to be accomplished. We should not mourn for men of high ideals. Rather we should rejoice that we had the privilege of having had them with us...” – Indira Gandhi, third Prime Minister of India, in her "Martin Luther King" speech at the presentation of the Jawaharial Nehru Award for International Understanding to Coretta Scott King in New Delhi, India on January 24, 1969.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King Jr. (Today’s theme at our County MLK Celebration.)
Bloodworks Northwest has an urgent need for immediate blood donors
 Our local blood supply has hit emergency levels. Bloodworks Northwest is asking everyone who is feeling healthy – especially type O donors – to please schedule a donation in the next three weeks, ASAP. If you do not see an immediate appointment available, booking the next available appointment is still vital, or contact Bloodworks Northwest for help locating a time and date at 800-398-7888. See this article in The Seattle Times for more information: Facing blood shortage, Bloodworks Northwest has less than a day's supply.
View this afternoon’s COVID-19 press conference with Gov. Inslee and others: National Guard to help with Omicron surge
Governor Jay Inslee held a press conference this afternoon at the State Capitol. He was joined by DOH Secretary Umair Shah; DOH Deputy Secretary for COVID Response Lacy Fehrenbach; WA Military Dept. Adjutant General Bret Daugherty; and Senior Policy Advisors Molly Voris and Amber Leaders.
According to The Seattle Times, the Governor “...announced that members of the Washington National Guard will help staff hospitals and testing sites across the state, as the health care system strains beneath surging COVID-19 caseloads.” Read more details on the announcement in this Seattle Times article: Gov. Inslee orders National Guard to help at hospitals, testing sites amid COVID-19 surge.
You can watch the full press conference here on TVW. And you can read the full text and view photos here of the Governor’s 2022 State of the State speech, which he gave on Tuesday. You can view the video of the address at the bottom of this page.
Can’t get a test right now? Here’s what to do
 As you may know, there is a high demand for in-home (or “at-home”) tests right now. Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) has been working to procure rapid in-home tests through as many avenues as possible. Until there is more supply, Public Health has some tips here on testing at this time, as well as how to know which test to use and when to use it. We are anticipating receiving hundreds of thousands of the tests soon from the federal government.
You may also be interested in these articles:
- Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat? - NPR
- Biden to double free COVID tests, add N95s, to fight Omicron – AP News
Increase in breakthrough cases related to current COVID-19 surge
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported today that it is seeing an increase in the number of “vaccine breakthrough” cases related to the recent increase in overall cases statewide. Even with the increase in breakthrough infections, data continue to show that vaccination is highly protective against hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
According to DOH, current reporting shows a recent 43% increase in the number of breakthrough cases. The increase in the number of breakthrough cases is related to the increase in the number of total cases statewide. For more information see the links above.
- A growing gap: We look at Omicron’s toll in New York and Seattle, two cities with timely data – The New York Times
The latest news on masks
- Masking against COVID and omicron: a visual guide – The Seattle Times
- Here’s the difference between N95 and KN95 masks, and how to spot a fake – The Sacramento Bee/The Seattle Times
- How often can you reuse KN95 or N95 masks — and how do you safely do it? What to know – McClatchy DC News
The latest on schools, children and COVID
 - Seattle students plan sickout, demand COVID tests and masks as school closures climb – The Seattle Times
- Pandemic blog: Schools respond to Omicron surge – KUOW
- Teachers confront half-empty classrooms as virus surges – AP News
- Chicago teachers accept COVID deal, keeping kids in school – AP News
- Go back to school and ditch weekly testing: The advice from one children's hospital – NPR
- 'Don't panic.' How parents with kids too young to vaccinate can navigate Omicron – The Los Angeles Times
- Kids’ low COVID-19 vaccination rates called a ‘gut punch’ – AP News
- What to know about the coronavirus vaccine for children younger than five – The Washington Post / The Seattle Times
What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for children
 Every child age five and older in Washington state can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Kids 12 and up are now eligible for a booster. Yet many parents and caregivers still have questions. How safe is the vaccine for children? What vaccine should I get and when should they get a booster?
The state DOH is convening a panel of medical and education professionals on January 20th at 5 p.m. that will answer as many questions submitted in advance by the audience as possible and discuss the latest guidance on vaccines and children, an update on variants, how Washington schools are adapting to the changing situation and more. For details and to register see this page.
Disinformation disrupts state Board of Health meeting
Controversy and misinformation about an upcoming meeting of the state Board of Health erupted on social media after false claims were made that officials planned to vote on vaccine mandates for school-aged children and using law enforcement to detain unvaccinated individuals. Protesters disrupted the meeting because of the false information that had spread earlier about what would be happening at it. See the links below for more information.
- WA Board of Health did not enact COVID internment camps or vaccine mandate for students at Wednesday Meeting– NBC News
- Protesters descend on WA Board of Health after misinformation about vaccine plans goes viral – The Seattle Times
- The claim: Washington's State Board of Health will vote on using police to enforce child vaccine mandate – USA Today
Brief update on County COVID status and response
Councilmembers received this helpful brief update from the Executive’s office on Monday, with an overview of the status of the virus in King County, and the latest on the County’s response.
Antibody that inhibits broad range of sarbecoviruses found
According to UW Medicine, scientists have discovered an antibody that may lead to more effective treatments against a wide range of sarbecoviruses, the family of viruses that includes the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Read the details here.
Pandemic timelines
As we enter our third (gulp) year of this pandemic, you may be interested in taking a look back at how it all began and how we reacted and adapted. You may find the “pandemic timelines” linked below of interest. You can also take a look at my COVID-focused e-newsletters, starting on March 1, 2020, to review of the progression of the pandemic.
- CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline - CDC Museum (in association with the Smithsonian Institution)
- Interactive Timeline: WHO's COVID-19 Response – World Health Organization (WHO)
- COVID-19 Pandemic Timeline Fast Facts – CNN (CNN’s reporting on the virus, starting on December 31, 2019)
For a deep dive on pandemics throughout history, see this study from Frontiers in Microbiology (published by the National Institutes of Health). And, check out this timeline of historical pandemics, beginning with the Plague of Justinian, which was active from 541- 543.
Vaccine safety system: Understanding the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System
Most of us are aware of the fact that there is a safety process that takes a vaccine from trials to emergency use authorization to full FDA approval. The state DOH wants you to know that the monitoring and oversight doesn’t stop there and explains the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) in this article.
Next Thursday: What the pandemic is changing
 ArtsFund has been studying the pandemic’s impacts on Washington cultural nonprofits since March 2020. Now, nearly two years of data collection and research in collaboration with partners from around the state will culminate in the release of its new COVID Cultural Impact Study, compiling data from over 200 cultural organizations and 1,500 individuals. Join ArtsFund for a live community conversation on the research findings. Sign up here to join the conversation.
Reminder: Sign up for a new health plan by Saturday, January 15th for coverage starting February 1st
 Enroll by January 15th and #GetCovered starting February 1st. Sign up at https://wahealthplanfinder.org.
New emergency order issued by King County Superior Court
Councilmembers were notified by Patrick Oishi, the Presiding Judge for King County Superior Court of a new emergency order, issued in response to the staffing problems and backlogs created by the current surge in COVID cases. The order suspends all new in-person criminal trials (not hearings, only trials) until close of business February 11th, 2022. Judge Oishi also notes that this order could be extended beyond February 11th. The Court will re-evaluate by early February.
As background, Emergency Order 33 already has all civil trials virtual, with discretion to the judicial officers to hold parts in person. This order does not affect Emergency Order 33 and therefore does not address civil trials.
County Council increased funding to address Court backlog
 Last year at the King County Council, we approved $42 million to address the backlogged criminal legal system because we strongly believe that access to justice is important to the residents of King County. To find out more about the changes that the Court has made to respond to the pandemic and why I believe it is so vital to keep our courts funded, check out this video.
Council approves new leadership, committee structure and assignments
 On Tuesday the Council approved 2022 leaders and membership for the seven council committees, three regional committees, the Board of Health and the Flood Control District Board of Supervisors and Executive Committee. Read full details here.
As the Council starts its new year, I’m pleased to welcome our newest Councilmember, Sarah Perry, representing Council District 3. I’m also very pleased to be the new chair of the Committee of the Whole and to serve as vice chair of the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee and the Government Accountability Committee, and to continue serving on the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, the Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee, the Board of Health, and as an alternate to the Regional Policy Committee.
Audit report released: Emergency Preparedness Limited by Planning Gaps
Councilmembers were briefed on a new audit of the state of the County’s Emergency Preparedness by the Auditor’s Office at our Government Accountability and Oversight Committee meeting on Tuesday. You can find read the full report here: Emergency Preparedness Limited by Planning Gaps. The companion letter to the report can be found here.
According to the County Auditor, “We found that despite some excellent examples, continuity of operations plans are of inconsistent quality and completeness across the county. Effective continuity plans are key to the County’s ability to provide services to the community during emergencies. We also summarized best practices in pandemic planning that Public Health should incorporate in their updated Infectious Disease Plan.”
The County Auditor’s office included five recommendations to ensure emergency plans are complete and align with leading practices. The Executive concurred with all five recommendations and the Auditor’s office will follow up with the Office of Emergency Management and Public Health on implementing the recommendations. These recommendations are of real import given the emergency situation we’ve been experiencing with others likely to come.
County Regional Homelessness Authority update
Yesterday Councilmembers and other members of the Regional Policy Committee received a briefing by Marc Dones, head of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). Dones updated members on the current status of the KCRHA and progress made to date. To view a copy of the presentation, see this page.
4Culture recovery fund for individuals
 Are you a cultural producer who has been impacted by the pandemic? 4Culture is offering relief grants between $1,000 and $12,000 to cover COVID-19 related financial losses and help you move forward with your creative work. We know application fatigue is real, and 4Culture staff will walk you through it. The deadline is February 2nd.
Saturday: Free online webinar on landscaping with native plants
 The County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division, invites you to a free webinar to learn about selecting and using native plants. The webinar is this Saturday, January 15th, from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Native plants can create a landscape with visual interest year-round, while at the same time providing homes for wildlife, AND reducing water, fertilizer and pesticide use. This class will provide information on choosing the best native plants for your needs, and also techniques for planting, composting, and mulching that will help your landscape thrive. For details and to register see this page.
Seattle Aquarium releases new video: “The Kelp Highway”
 “The Kelp Highway” is the first in a three-part video series, Stories from the Salish Sea, from the Seattle Aquarium. The series will highlight the wonders of the Salish Sea while inspiring the public to take specific action to help preserve it.
“The Kelp Highway” tells the story of the intricate, interconnected ecosystems, called kelp highways, that provide critical habitat for numerous species (including endangered salmon, orcas and pinto abalone) and also mitigate the effects of ocean acidification by sequestering carbon. It is hosted by wildlife ecologist and conservationist Chris Morgan, whom you may know through his popular podcast, THE WILD, or his work with Nature, PBS and the BBC. For full details, see this page.
Update and reminder: King County Metro service reductions continue this week, check your trip before traveling
King County Metro is recovering from recent winter storms and facing reduced workforce availability. Through January 21, Metro will operate more than 90% of scheduled service, however an increased number of trips will be canceled. For full details, please see this article. While some specific trips of a route will be canceled, most of our 160 bus routes will operate. The exceptions are that routes 162, 177, 304, 320, and 330 will not run-on weekdays, and route 125 will not run-on Saturdays.
Before traveling, Metro wants you to make sure you know whether your trip is operating or canceled:
- Visit Service Advisories for information about your route.
- Sign up for Transit Alerts for route-specific and system-wide updates by email or text
- For real-time updates that show whether a bus trip is operating, when it’s due to depart, or if it’s been canceled: Use Text for Departures. Text your bus stop number to 62550 (Tip: Save 62550 in your phone in advance.)
- Another option is “Next departures” on the Puget Sound Trip Planner webpage
Note: Metro’s tools send updated information to OneBusAway, TransitApp and other third-party apps.
Heads up: Comment period at end of this month for West Seattle and Ballard Link extensions
 Sound Transit wants you to know that beginning Friday, January 28th, the public will be able to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project. The Draft EIS will examine the project’s potential impacts and benefits to the natural, built environment and transportation system for each of the alternatives. The document also proposes mitigation measures.
For more details on the project and on participating in the draft EIS process see this page. We will also continue to update you here.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend celebrations
Reminder: Free MLK holiday film festival starts tomorrow
 The public is invited to join Dr. Clayborne Carson, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, and his team at The World House Project this weekend for a free virtual film festival featuring documentaries speaking to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of the World House. The World House Documentary Film Festival, starts tomorrow, Friday, January 14th and continues through Monday, January 17th.
This virtual event will feature over 30 documentaries, musical performances, interviews and panel discussions that speak to Dr. King's still unanswered question: Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? For details on the event see this page. To register, go to this page. The event is sponsored by the World House Project at the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law within Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
Join the Northwest African American Museum on Monday for two events: One virtual, the other outside at the Garfield High School Parking Lot
 The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) is planning two separate events for Monday, the official holiday and day of service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Join NAAM for its virtual King Day program, "The Poetics of Hope," featuring keynote speaker, poet, and best-selling author Nikki Giovanni, who will provide inspiring remarks on the significance of cultural expression and hope in reflection of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. The event will be held two different times on Monday. You can attend from 2 – 3 p.m. OR from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
The virtual event includes a line-up of civil rights children's stories read by local community leaders along with powerful music, dance, and spoken word poetry performances. Register for the virtual program here.
There is another opportunity to celebrate with NAAM on Monday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Garfield High School Parking Lot. In partnership with the Seattle Sounders FC and Public Health, NAAM will host a vaccine and booster clinic, a “Knowledge is Power” Books and Balls Giveaway, and a Hygiene for Humanity Supply Drive as part of the Seattle MLK Coalition’s rally in the morning at Garfield High School. The first 100 people to get a vaccination or booster shot will receive two tickets to a Sounders game. No registration required. First come, first serve.
For a listing of additional events this weekend honoring Dr. King, see this list from the UW: https://www.washington.edu/mlkweek/events/
DID YOU KNOW?
... that, according to HistoryLink, the first women to serve in the Washington State Legislature, Representatives Frances Axtell and Nena Jolidon Croake, were sworn in on today’s date in 1913? According to HistoryLink, “The two women were elected in November 1912 in the first state elections after Washington women gained the right to vote in 1910.”
Additional helpful and informative links
- Supreme Court halts COVID-19 vaccine rule for US businesses – AP News
- Omicron can make you contagious before you test positive, allowing for rapid spread – The Seattle Times
- Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US – Associated Press/The Seattle Times
- COVID-19 pill rollout stymied by shortages as Omicron rages – AP News
- Opinion: You’d expect health care workers on the COVID frontlines to be tested regularly. You’d be wrong – Stat News
- When will COVID-19 pandemic become endemic? Experts share scenarios – NBC New York
- COVID updates for today: The myth that coronavirus strains get milder – KUOW
- Omicron variant is responsible for 90 percent of new COVID Cases in King County – The Seattle Medium
- Editorial: COVID-19 exposure app is a tool worth using – The Seattle Times
- Americans are tuning out as Omicron rages. Experts call for health messaging to adapt – NPR
- More than one million fewer students are in college, the lowest enrollment numbers in 50 years – NPR
- In WA and beyond, students question the value of college degrees – Crosscut
- Federal aid is propping up child care. It isn't a long-term fix. – Pew Stateline
- Gov. Inslee gives State of the State speech calling for action from lawmakers – The Seattle Times
- Mayor Harrell extends Seattle eviction moratoriums, orders utilities to keep allowing flexible payments – The Seattle Times
- Opinion: King County's helmet law causes headaches – Real Change
- Seattle pharmacies prepare customers for medication delays, staffing shortages – KING 5 News
- How the Port of Seattle is whittling away at supply chain backlogs – KUOW
- Grocery store shortages are back. Here are some of the reasons why – NPR
- Pike Place Market’s quietest voice goes silent – The Seattle Times
- The heat stays on: Earth hits 6th warmest year on record – AP News
- WA troopers still more likely to pull over Native American drivers – Crosscut
Today’s moment of inspiration
 We’ve all been inspired by the dedication of health care workers during the past two years. This story, from CNN, is another story about a nurse who went above and beyond – in this instance, in order to keep her patient and his dog together. Jennifer Smith is a nurse at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Rome, New York.
Her patient, John Burley, has a 12-year-old mutt named Boomer, whom he has had since the dog was a puppy. They are inseparable, but while Burley was recuperating from pneumonia and lung problems – with no family nearby – Boomer had been taken to the pound. Burley had no one else, so he reached out to Smith, who said, as she told CNN, “Of course, John. I will find Boomer and take care of him for you.”
According to the story, Smith “...took an early lunch the next day and drove to the shelter where she found 18-pound Boomer in a large cage in the back. Smith said, "OK, where are the adoption papers? I'm going to take him home."
Smith immediately called Burley to let him know she'd found Boomer, he was OK and she would be bringing him home soon. “A short while later, Boomer was set up at Smith's home and making friends with her dog.
“Burley is now temporarily living in the rehabilitation wing of the center. It's uncertain where he'll live after he is released. But while he is there, Smith is able to bring Boomer to work with her. She takes him up to Burley's room a couple times a day. "It helps John with the healing process and gives him peace of mind," Smith said.” Read the full story here.
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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