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Transmission of COVID-19 continues to increase throughout Snohomish County and around the state. After eight weeks of sustained decreases through the summer, the rolling two-week case rate and number of cases reported daily has been steadily climbing since late-September.
The Snohomish Health District also updated three maps now being produced bi-weekly:
While the heat map shows a concentration of new cases in south county, primarily along the I-5 and Highway 99 corridors, that aligns with denser populations. When looking at the case rate map, which calculates the number of cases over a two-week period compared to the population within that zip code, it is clear that all parts of Snohomish County are continuing to be impacted. The majority of our new cases are the result of too many people in close settings, especially without face coverings.
“Without a doubt, wearing face coverings, maintaining distance, and avoiding gatherings prevents spread, reduced hospitalizations, and save lives,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Health District. “These are all proven strategies that work, and it is incumbent on all of us to keep at it. Our school-age students, businesses and vulnerable adults are counting on us.”
The full press release, including information on recently released updates to state guidance, is available here.
Drive-thru testing schedule
The Snohomish Health District will continue drive-thru testing at the 3900 Broadway site in Everett next week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. With daylight hours decreasing, and testing volumes seen earlier in the day, the Health District will no longer be offering evening testing appointments.
In addition to the Everett site, the Health District will also be offering testing at the Lynnwood Food Bank on Tuesday, October 13. Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5320 176th St SW.
Testing remains strongly encouraged for individuals that fit the following criteria:
- Anyone with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea); or
- Close contact of a confirmed case; or
- Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting; or
- Work in healthcare, EMS, law enforcement or other fields where work settings have a higher risk of catching or spreading COVID-19; or
- Part of a family or social network that has had a case.
Registration is now open at www.snohd.org/testing. Insurance information is collected and the lab will bill insurance. There are no co-pays for COVID-19 testing through the Health District. If you do not have insurance, the test will be provided at no charge.
A phone line is available for test registration help, particularly those without internet access or needing language interpreter services. That number is 425.258.8425, with calls returned from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. This number is not for checking on test results.
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Supporting Snohomish County families as they balance employment and child care is vital during this challenging time. Snohomish County and its partner nonprofits, the YMCA – Snohomish County and Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, are here to help. The county is offsetting a portion of the child care costs for families at its partner nonprofits through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The county’s COVID child care partners promise that no child will be turned away for inability to pay.
FAQs about the program: bit.ly/2Srkwvf
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The state Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for Community Small Business Resiliency grants. Knowing how important small businesses are to communities around Washington, the state is making available $5 million in federal CARES Act funds. Successful grant applicants are eligible for up to $10,000.
Criteria and applications can be found at bit.ly/SmallBusinessResiliencyGrant
The application portal closes Oct. 28 at noon.
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A program coordinated by Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management has been Nourishing Neighborhoods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fresh produce grown by local farmers is being brought to selected apartment complexes in the county where data suggest the economic impacts of the pandemic have been particularly hard and people sometimes struggle to access food. The program has leveraged CARES Act funding to improve food security. The Joint Information Center published a video Thursday.
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Leaders at local libraries on Thursday said they are working to protect public health while preparing for new opportunities for public-library services during COVID-19 restrictions.
Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced several updates to the state Safe Start plan. Among other things, libraries in Snohomish County and other parts of the state now may provide limited services at 25% of building capacity.
Sno-Isle Libraries announced it is taking a cautious approach to adding in-building services. Regardless of what and where additional in-building services may resume, Sno-Isle Libraries will continue to offer contact-free and online services developed since library buildings closed in March.
For more information, see the full press release from Sno-Isle Libraries.
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Everett Public Library released information on its website about its response to the Safe Start changes:
As we work to accommodate this change, the health and safety of our community and staff is our top priority. We are working on plans that will provide:
- Modified hours and limited services at the Main Library and Evergreen Branch.
- Continued access to curbside pick-ups.
- Online programs, services and collections for all ages.
- Physical distancing and health protocols, including requirements for facial coverings.
We look forward to welcoming you back inside the library as soon as it is safe for us to do so. We will announce details and dates when plans are finalized.
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If you lost your job or are working fewer hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic and you receive water, sewer and/or garbage services from the City of Marysville, here’s some financial help. The deadline to apply for a Marysville CARES Utility Assistance Grant has been extended to Friday, Nov. 20.
Utility assistance grants for a one-time of $200 toward their city utility bill ($100 for accounts that already have a discounted utility rate) are available to those who meet these criteria:
- Are a current City of Marysville utility customer, and
- Are economically impacted by COVID-19.
There is no longer an income limit for eligibility.
Grant awards will end Nov. 30 or when the city has distributed the remaining $12,000 available for this program, whichever comes first. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. The application is available on the City's website.
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The Snohomish City Council has extended the deadline to Nov. 13, 2020 to apply for a utility support and rent relief grant to assist residents financially impacted by COVID-19.
Eligible residents may apply for a one-time, not to exceed $500 non-refundable credit, either applied directly to the resident’s water and sewer account or, if City utility costs are included in the resident’s rent payment, sent to their landlord. Rent relief grants are only offered to residents that don’t receive any other type of housing assistance. The Snohomish City Council approved $100,000 for this program. Applications will be accepted as long as funds are available but no later than Nov. 13, 2020. Only one application per residential address will be accepted.
To apply visit: https://www.snohomishwa.gov/713/COVID-19-Utility-Assistance
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Snohomish County PUD is reaching out to customers who have fallen behind on their bills to ensure their past-due balances are addressed prior to the utility resuming disconnections for non-payment. PUD customers will begin receiving letters this month encouraging them to make payment arrangements to keep their account balance manageable, as well as giving them options for financial assistance.
Customers with a past-due balance are encouraged to make partial payments when unable to pay the full amount or call the PUD about options available to assist them with their bill. The PUD has flexible short-term payment arrangements, long-term monthly payment plans and other assistance plans that can help customers. Customers can call PUD Customer Service at 425-783-1000 for information on options.
The PUD also has a robust Income-Qualified Assistance Program that provides relief to customers in need. Recent changes to the program have expanded eligibility and increased discount amounts for most customers in the program. Call 425-783-1000 or visit www.snopud.com/discounts for information.
Though PUD offices remain closed, there are a variety of ways customers can pay their bill. Payments can be submitted by telephone toll-free at 1-888-909-4628 or by visiting www.snopud.com/mysnopud and signing up for bill payment. Customers can also call 425-783-1000 to set up a cash payment or visit select retail locations to use bill-payment services.
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Bring the family in your Halloween costumes to our daytime family-friendly "Halloween Drive-Thru Hullabaloo". Participants will drive through our "Candyland Forest" for socially distanced trick or treating! It's free, it's fun, and costumes are encouraged.
For safety measures, you MUST pre-register your VEHICLE for this event to reserve your time slot.
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Worker Retraining is a state-funded program that provides job-related training and employment services to dislocated and unemployed workers to help them gain additional training in their existing field or get started on a new career path.
Attend a virtual information session on Tuesday, October 13 at 10 a.m. to learn if you are eligible for tuition and fees to retrain for a new career. Register today at www.surveymonkey.com/r/FGVYQ5D
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At a press conference on Oct. 8, Gov. Jay Inslee announced an extension of the eviction moratorium for unpaid rent through December 31, 2020. The Governor's proclamation confirming the extension of the moratorium will be released in the coming days. You can find all of the Governor's proclamations here.
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In support of the state’s Safe Start efforts, the Washington State Department of Commerce spearheaded a unique collaboration among public, private and philanthropic organizations to help keep small businesses open, protect and create jobs, while also looking ahead to strengthen key sectors in the future.
The projects recently received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, one of the largest such grants in the nation. “COVID has resulted in tremendous uncertainty and anxiety in Washington. People are worried about their businesses and their jobs. We need all hands on deck to help business owners safely restart, keep Washington workers employed and strengthen our state’s economy to be more equitable and more resilient,” said Gov. Jay Inslee.
Under the grant, Commerce and its partners will develop and provide a broad range of support to help small businesses address key areas of need, such as prevention of COVID infection and transmission, connections to financial resources for immediate and future resiliency, and technical assistance to help manufacturers adapt for safe yet efficient operations.
Some programs are already underway while others are still being developed. For more information about the various programs supporting small businesses, visit the Commerce webpage at http://bit.ly/wa-covid19.
Read the full release.
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State regulators approved protections for electric and natural gas utility customers who are struggling to pay their bills due to financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. In Snohomish County, utility companies Puget Sound Energy and Cascade Natural Gas may not disconnect customers for nonpayment until April 30, 2021 by order of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Also, utilities must continue to waive deposits for new customers and all late fees through Oct. 27, 2021.
Utilities must work with customers to establish long-term payment arrangements for up to 18 months for residential customers, and 12 months for small commercial customers.
In addition to payment arrangements, all utilities must also create a COVID-19 bill payment assistance program funded at 1% of their Washington state retail revenues, in addition to any existing local and federal assistance programs.
A recording of the October 6, 2020 WUTC meeting can be found on TVW’s website.
Read the full release.
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Unemployment claims in Snohomish County declined 12% during the most-recent week-long reporting period, dropping from 1,881 to 1,662.
That mirrored results statewide during the week of September 27 through October 3, according to the Employment Security Department. There were 15,496 initial regular unemployment claims during that period statewide, down 12.6 percent from the prior week.
Initial regular claims applications continue to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic and are 157% percent above last year’s weekly applications.
For more information, see the full press release.
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Each month during the school year, Washington’s public K–12 school districts count how many students are enrolled in classes. These data tell us which communities are growing, how many students are taking advantage of alternative learning and dual credit opportunities, which areas should be thinking about building new or expanding current school buildings, and more.
The data are also used to determine the amount of state funding districts will receive to pay for the staffing, materials, technology, and other supports that help our students succeed.
Compared to September 2019, September 2020 data shows a 2.82% decrease in enrollment (or nearly 31,000 students out of nearly 1.1 million total) in Washington’s public K–12 schools.
About one-third (more than 11,000 students) of the total decrease is attributed to kindergarten-age children not enrolling or delaying their kindergarten start. By grade level, kindergarten saw the largest decrease in enrollment—14%—from September 2019 to September 2020. Across the board, the early grades experienced larger declines in enrollment than the later grades.
For more information see the full blog post.
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Job search requirements remain suspended but work search resources are available
The job search requirement of unemployment claimants will be suspended through Nov. 9. Claimants may continue to answer “no” to the job search question on weekly claims for now. Learn more on the job search requirements page.
Job seekers may turn to WorkSourceWA.com to find job fairs and connect with employers. Job seekers may even participate in 1-on-1 text chats with reps from participating employers and organizations.
Claimants should be aware that some benefits may be approaching expiration
Longstanding claimants may notice "Final Payment" status in their eServices account - this appears when available benefits have been exhausted through Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation(PEUC), Extended Benefits (EB) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Read the information on this page to learn more about PEUC and EB. It is normal to get a smaller-than-normal payment at the conclusion of any benefit program. When in doubt, keep submitting your weekly claims!
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Small business owners and entrepreneurs may register for upcoming Washington State BizFair
The 24th annual BizFair will be held on Nov. 10 - attendees will learn strategies to build or grow small businesses from industry experts. The event is free to attend. Interested attendees may register now and interested sponsors or exhibitors may contact info@bizfair.org. This event is presented by the SCORE Seattle chapter, the Washington State Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT), Employment Security Department (ESD) and Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
Small business webinars provide up-to-date info and live responses to questions
A monthly webinar series presents information specific to Washington small businesses. The series features brief presentations from state and federal partners and open-mic Q&A time. Topics include unemployment insurance, returning employees to work, relief funding, workplace safety, face coverings and other timely topics. The next webinar will be held on Oct.15 at 1:30 p.m.
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The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is now Nov. 21, 2020. This new date will provide an additional five weeks beyond the original deadline.
The IRS urges people who don’t typically file a tax return – and haven’t received an Economic Impact Payment – to register as quickly as possible using the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool on IRS.gov. The tool will not be available after Nov. 21.
Special note: This additional time into November is solely for those who have not received their EIP and don’t normally file a tax return. For taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their 2019 tax return, that deadline date remains Oct. 15.
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Case counts as of October 9, 2020.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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