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Two weeks of increasing COVID case rates are a reminder that people in Snohomish County need to stick with key prevention strategies to reduce the spread of illness, such as wearing face coverings and limiting social gatherings as much as possible, county leaders said during a virtual press conference Tuesday morning. Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters gave updates on the response to COVID-19 during the weekly briefing.
Somers urged people to continue wearing a mask, washing their hands and keeping distance from others. He also urged everyone to get a flu shot, calling it “particularly critical” this year.
Spitters reiterated the flu shot recommendation. He also walked through the math of calculating case rates, which has been a topic of frequent questions throughout the pandemic.
Along with the increasing case rates, the Health District is closely monitoring hospitalization numbers.
“Last week we saw a little increase in hospitalizations from the low teens up to the mid-20s,” Spitters said. “Now we’re in the low 20s and watching that carefully. It really is a little bit like driving on ice. Once you realize you’re going too fast, it’s too late. So we really are needing to tap on the breaks … I think in this our tapping on the breaks is preventive measures and avoiding gatherings.”
Spitters noted that there is still more to be learned about the long-term impacts of COVID, and that even people who were not severely ill may have complications such as inflammation of the heart.
“What we’ve seen is a big deal and it could in the long run be an even bigger deal than we currently understand,” Spitters said. “So the value of prevention and trying to stem this thing as much as we can cannot be overstated.
Watch: https://youtu.be/_iPDfH742Mc
Or read the transcript: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5114
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The latest snapshot of COVID-19 activity in Snohomish County is now available, along with a more detailed weekly report. The snapshot shows an increase in the Snohomish County case rate, as well as an increase in the percentage of licensed hospital beds occupied by patients. To help preserve hospital capacity, it is important to reduce the spread of illness. Remember to continue wearing a face cover, limiting gatherings, staying home if you are ill, and taking all of the other illness prevention measures that have been highlighted during this pandemic. They are crucial as we head into fall and winter, when other illnesses are common, as well.
Find the latest snapshot here:
https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5095/Data_Snapshot_2020_Oct-5
And the weekly report here:
https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5094/Weekly_rpt_comms_9262020
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Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement Monday after President Donald J. Trump published a tweet with his views on the threat of COVID-19. Shortly before being released from the hospital after being treated for COVID-19, Trump wrote: “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”
Inslee responded swiftly:
“The president’s reckless comments reflect exactly the same nonsense thinking behind his failed pandemic response that increased the risk of COVID, a virus that has caused 210,000 deaths in the United States already — and hundreds more each day. He hasn’t learned a thing. Since he tested positive for COVID, more than 2,000 additional Americans have died and downplaying this danger is the best he can do?”
Inslee’s full statement can be read here.
State Health Secretary John Wiesman also weighed in.
“The President’s tweet is highly irresponsible and makes every public health official’s job that much more difficult,” Wiesman said. “COVID-19 is a serious disease that is easily spread. We shouldn’t fear it; we should protect ourselves from it. Wear your mask. Watch your distance. Wash your hands. These are the basic facts.”
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Many students across Washington rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs. As the economic impacts of COVID-19 continue, more families are taking advantage of free meals provided by school districts.
School districts across the state are able to provide free meals to all children aged 0–18, or older if enrolled in the K–12 school system, through the end of December 2020, thanks to waivers granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, once the funds run out at the end of the calendar year, many students will still need access to free or reduced-price meals from their school.
Families are strongly encouraged to complete a School Meal Application now, which determines a student’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.
The application process is simple and confidential. There are no citizenship requirements for participation, and immigration status is not requested or disclosed.
Information obtained from meal applications is used to determine student eligibility for a number of school programs. In addition, the information drives funding and supports to schools.
All households with students in grades K–12 receive application packets at the beginning of the school year. The application packet provides instructions and directions on where to send the applications.
In addition, many schools make meal applications available electronically. Application review and determinations are made within 10 operating days of receipt of the application. Households denied eligibility can appeal the decision by contacting their school.
Applications can be submitted any time during the school year. Households that experience a change in income due to job loss or other circumstances are encouraged to apply.
Many school districts are offering alternative methods of meal distribution in the 2020–21 school year to match current educational models used in the district. Families should contact their local school district to find out how meals are being offered.
For more information about eligibility, income guidelines see the full blog post from the OSPI.
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The City recognizes that COVID-19 has caused substantial financial impacts to citizens from job loss or reduced work hours due to business closures, school closures and/or limited access to child care. Through the customer support program, the city is implementing a one time utility credit to qualified applicants. Residential customers that submit an application and meet eligibility criteria will receive a one time $125 credit on their water/sewer account until funding is exhausted. Commercial customers that submit an application and meet eligibility criteria will receive a one time $250 credit on their water/sewer account until funding is exhausted. Utility credits not applicable to stormwater and irrigation only accounts.
Residential Eligibility Criteria (must meet all of the following):
- Have a utility account with the City of Arlington and water and/or sewer services are billed.
- Water/sewer service address must be within the City of Arlington city limits.
- Have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19 pandemic either through loss of a job, reduced hours, or childcare/education needs.
- Must be the utility account holder or property owner listed on the account.
- Must have been current on your utility account as of 4/1/2020.
Business Eligibility Criteria (must meet all of the following):
- Have a physical location in Arlington city limits (not including home occupancy businesses).
- Have a utility account with the City of Arlington and water and/or sewer services are billed.
- Water/sewer service address must be within the City of Arlington city limits.
- Have a current City of Arlington business license.
- Have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19 due to business closure or reduced operating hours.
- Business must be the utility account holder or property owner listed on the account.
- Must have been current on your utility account as of 4/1/2020.
Applications:
Residential Utility Bill Credit Application
Commercial Utility Bill Credit Application
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Attention all Bothell residents! We know many of you have been financially impacted due to COVID-19. The Northshore Senior Center is distributing one time emergency grant funds and you may be eligible. You do not need to be a senior, US citizen or have citizenship to apply. Apply online by November 15. Call the Senior Center at 425-286-1072 for assistance.
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The City of Lynnwood late last week began reopening playgrounds, basketball courts plus its skate and dog parks, which were closed earlier because of the COIVID-19 pandemic.
“We have routinely witnessed our park users following health department guidelines, wearing face coverings and masks, and keeping distance from others,” Mayor Nicola Smith said in a Facebook post.
She urged Lynnwood residents to “continue to do your part to help keep our parks playgrounds and other amenities open by recreating responsibly. Avoid large gatherings in our parks, wear face coverings, keep social distance, bring your own water bottle, and remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after using park equipment.”
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On September 21, 2020 the Mukilteo City Council authorized the use of an additional $150,000 of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support the recovery of small businesses physically located within the City of Mukilteo impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This action reflects the City’s commitment to its small business community and the importance of small businesses successfully recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.
Through the Mukilteo CARES for Businesses Program, eligible small businesses physically located in the City of Mukilteo that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to apply for a small business grant to:
- Mitigate the impact of business closures and revenue reductions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
- Support business recovery
- Ensure a safe environment for owners, staff, and customers
- Protect local jobs
Eligible small businesses may be awarded a grant of up to $10,000. Small businesses can follow the simple online application process to apply for a cash grant of $2,500, $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 based on justifiable need and business resiliency. Funds are limited so it is expected that not all businesses that apply will be awarded a grant.
If you applied for a grant for the first Mukilteo CARES Grant for Business cycle you do not need to reapply. Your application will be reviewed again. Those who received a Mukilteo CARES Grant for Business in the last cycle are not eligible for this grant again.
More information available here.
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Gov. Inslee held a press conference on Tuesday to announce recent changes to the state’s Safe Start Guidance for libraries, youth and adult sports, movie theaters, restaurants, wedding receptions, retail events (craft show sales, etc.), real estate, outdoor recreation (running, bicycling, etc.), and water recreation facilities.
Please see the Governor’s Reopening Guidance for Businesses and Workers webpage for the updates
Inslee also issued extensions for 26 proclamations to November 9, 2020 in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The full list is available here.
Watch the recording of the press conference on TVW.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidance with recommendations for vaccine sponsors regarding the scientific data and information that would support the issuance of an emergency use authorization (EUA) for an investigational vaccine intended to prevent COVID-19.
The recommendations in the guidance describe key information and data that would support issuance of an EUA, including chemistry, manufacturing and controls information, nonclinical and clinical data, and regulatory and administrative information.
This guidance provides further information on the EUA process for investigational vaccines and provides additional context to the information provided in the agency’s June guidance regarding the development and licensure of COVID-19 vaccines.
An EUA is a different standard than an approval, as noted in the June guidance, however, in the case of an investigational vaccine developed for the prevention of COVID-19, both pathways require the submission of data demonstrating any vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
This guidance reiterates that any assessment regarding an EUA will be made on a case-by-case basis considering the target population, the characteristics of the product, the preclinical and human clinical study data on the product, and the totality of the available scientific evidence relevant to the product.
Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research stated, “Being open and clear about the circumstances under which the issuance of an emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine would be appropriate is critical to building public confidence and ensuring the use of COVID-19 vaccines once available. The FDA’s new guidance on emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines underscores that commitment by further outlining the process and recommended scientific data and information that would support an emergency use authorization decision. In addition to outlining our expectations for vaccine sponsors, we also hope the agency’s guidance on COVID-19 vaccines helps the public understand our science-based decision-making process that assures vaccine quality, safety and efficacy for any vaccine that is authorized or approved."
The FDA plans to convene an open session of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) prior to issuance of any EUA for a COVID-19 vaccine to discuss the EUA request and whether the available safety and effectiveness data support the authorization. The VRBPAC is currently scheduled to meet on Oct. 22 to discuss the general development, authorization and/or licensure of COVID-19 vaccines. While this meeting is not intended to discuss any particular vaccine candidate, the agency is prepared to rapidly schedule additional future meetings of this committee after submission of any BLA or request for EUA to further ensure transparency.
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CDC issued updated guidance to its How COVID-19 Spreads webpage, which includes information about the potential for airborne spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
CDC continues to believe, based on current science, that people are more likely to become infected the longer and closer they are to a person with COVID-19. Today’s update acknowledges the existence of some published reports showing limited, uncommon circumstances where people with COVID-19 infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area. In these instances, transmission occurred in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces that often involved activities that caused heavier breathing, like singing or exercise. Such environments and activities may contribute to the buildup of virus-carrying particles.
CDC’s recommendations remain the same based on existing science and after a thorough technical review of the guidance.
People can protect themselves from the virus that causes COVID-19 by staying at least 6 feet away from others, wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth, washing their hands frequently, cleaning touched surfaces often and staying home when sick.
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Case counts as of October 6, 2020.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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