|
|
As the most recent numbers show, COVID is still very much circulating throughout Snohomish County. The 2-week rolling case count through October 10 was nearly 72 per 100k. The Snohomish Health District has been receiving more than 60 new cases each day this week, with Thursday’s preliminary total of 114 new cases being the third highest day since the pandemic started.
It is fully anticipated that the case rate will increase significantly in next Monday’s update. There are some key takeaways from new cases that staff are asking the community to help mitigate:
- Approximately 1 in 5 confirmed cases do not respond to Health District staff’s attempts to reach them. It is important to respond to those calls. Public health wants to ensure you are well and taking proper steps to protect yourself and your circles.
- A growing number of cases are refusing to provide the Health District with names of their close contacts or locations visited while potentially contagious, or employers are hesitating to provide information on their employees. Not only is this a failure to comply with WAC 246-101 and Governor Inslee’s Proclamation (20-25.6), but it severely hampers the Health District’s ability to do contract tracing efforts needed to stop the spread of disease.
- The majority of new cases are the result of too many people in close settings, especially without face coverings. Even in limited social gatherings, people should still wear masks when around people outside of their household. People can be contagious up to two days before they start to feel any symptoms.
“Rather than people worrying about another ‘stay home’ period, it would really be a better use of everyone’s energy and efforts if we limit our social gatherings now and mask up,” said Shawn Frederick, administrative officer for the Snohomish Health District. “If we practice good social distancing and use masks when around people outside of our household, we don’t need to worry about the what-if’s. We absolutely have the ability to control this now with our individual efforts.”
Read the full press release.
COVID-19 cases reported in Snohomish County by date
 Drive-thru testing for Oct. 19-23
Drive-thru testing will continue to be available next week at 3900 Broadway. Online registration for appointments is open. Learn more at www.snohd.org/drive-thru-testing.
In addition to the Everett site, the Health District will also be offering testing at the Lynnwood Food Bank on Tuesday, October 20. Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5320 176th St SW.
|
|
|
Some students have resumed in-person instruction under the statewide framework for a phased reopening of schools. While preventive efforts like face coverings, handwashing, screening for symptoms, distancing, and good ventilation can greatly reduce the likelihood of spreading COVID, the risk cannot be entirely eliminated in settings where people are together in person. This includes school and child care. It can be scary for students, parents or staff to hear that there may have been a case at school.
The Snohomish Health District has published a new blog that focuses on some key things for parents and others to keep in mind about schools during this crisis. For more information, see the full post.
|
|
Please, wear a cloth face cover or mask in public or in shared spaces. Face covers aren’t always comfortable for everyone, and some people have medical or other reasons they can’t wear one. But the vast majority of us can mask up, and we need to. It makes a big difference in protecting those around us. When we all wear them, we protect each other.
#ShowYouCare by masking up. Thank you Evergreen Health for helping share this reminder.
Learn more at www.snohd.org/covid.
Or check out our video for more health tips: https://youtu.be/DC1AzN0S39A
Facebook
Twitter
|
|
|
|
Washington state unemployment for September at 7.8%
Washington State Employment Security Department released new data on the preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for September and weekly initial unemployment claims through October 10, 2020.
Washington’s economy added 2,400 jobs in September and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for September decreased from 8.4 % (adjusted) to 7.8%, according to the Employment Security Department.
Largely linked to the COVID-19 crisis, Washington lost an estimated 203,900 jobs from September 2019 through September 2020, not seasonally adjusted.
For more information, see the full press release or the monthly employment report.
 Unemployment claims up again in Snohomish County
Snohomish County saw initial regular unemployment claims jump from 1,662 to 2,528, a 52% increase compared to the week before, according to the state Employment Security Department.
During the same period – the week of October 4 through October 10 -- there were 22,324 initial regular unemployment claims statewide. That was up by 44.1%.
The increase in claims came primarily in manufacturing and accommodation and food service, the state reported. Unemployment in retail, transportation and warehousing also contributed.
COVID-19 has spurred unemployment claims to levels that are more than 2.5 times last year’s weekly totals.
For more information, see the full press release.
|
|
|
The State Department of Health on Wednesday released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission. Report findings include:
-
Transmission is increasing in western Washington and recently plateauing in eastern Washington. The best estimates of the reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19 patient will infect) were 1.12 in western Washington and 0.94 in eastern Washington as of September 27.
-
Case counts in western Washington are increasing across all age groups and over broad geographic areas. This suggests increases are due to broad community spread, not driven by a single type of activity or setting. Though all age groups are seeing increases, the rising trends among older people are particularly concerning because these groups tend to experience more severe illness.
-
Recent growth in cases is widely distributed across a number of counties. Some larger counties, including Snohomish and King, are seeing steady increases. Several smaller counties, including Skagit, are experiencing increases, though the total number of recent cases remains low.
“As COVID-19 activity intensifies, it’s incredibly important that we all take precautions to reduce the impact of seasonal changes like spending more time indoors,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “We must be especially careful to avoid gathering in groups inside, including with family and friends outside of our immediate household. That includes limiting group size, gathering outside or improving ventilation inside, cleaning and washing hands frequently, wearing face coverings (including inside our homes) and staying over six feet apart.”
For more information, see the full press release.
|
|
|
A Drive-Thru Community Resource Fair is scheduled Friday and Saturday at locations in Lynnwood and Everett.
Get information on important community resources available such as rental assistance programs, voter registration, financial aid, and other COVID-related information. Social distancing will be observed, please be sure to wear a face covering.
|
|
|
The City of Monroe is announcing a second round of the Community Relief Grant. This second round will make available $50,000 for Monroe nonprofit organizations that serve our community's most vulnerable residents. Grants are anticipated to be awarded between $5,000 and $10,000.
“Our highest priority right now is getting our entire community up and running as quickly as possible and as safely as possible,” said Mayor Geoffrey Thomas. "Providing assistance for local non-profit agencies to provide basic services and meet the increased needs of Monroe’s most vulnerable residents will help get us there."
Guidelines, eligibility information and the application for the Community Relief Grant can be found here: http://monroewa.gov/956/Community-Relief-Grant
|
|
|
The City of Mill Creek will be holding a Halloween trick-or-treat alternative, the Mill Creek Candy Grab. At this event, the City will be distributing pre-packaged candy bags to families with children ages 12 and under while they stay safely in their vehicles.
This drive-thru event will be held on Thursday, October 29 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the City Hall North parking lot located at 15720 Main Street, Mill Creek, WA.
City Staff, Mill Creek Youth Advisory Board members and volunteers from the Rotary of Mill Creek and Citizens Patrol (masked and wearing gloves) will be on location distributing the pre-packaged candy. Using a contactless distribution system, the community member will be able to grab a bag of candy from a sanitized basket.
While the City requests that community members stay in their car, you are encouraged to dress up in Halloween garb for the event. Please remember to wear a mask as you let down your window and approach the distribution point.
Additionally, the City will be distributing free, reusable cloth face masks. There is a limit two masks per automobile. If you wish to donate to the Mill Creek Food Bank, the City will be collecting donations at this event. Mill Creek Rotary volunteers will be on hand to collect the canned food items from you at time of candy pick-up.
|
|
 This time of year, families and friends will be making choices about whether to gather for celebrations, game days or other seasonal events. Gathering in groups—even with people we know—may spread COVID-19. The more people we interact with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of becoming infected.
COVID-19 case rates are rising again in Snohomish County, and data suggest that’s the result of too many people choosing to gather in close settings, particularly without wearing face coverings.
The safest action, especially if you’re in a high-risk category, is to avoid gatherings and find different ways to celebrate.
The state has launched a new Safe Gatherings webpage that offers ideas on different ways to celebrate, tips for safer gatherings, and ideas for talking with friends and family about establishing and following ground rules for gatherings this fall and winter.
|
|
|
Gov. Jay Inslee this week announced a new state effort to help communities recover from the social and economic damage created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new Washington Recovery Group will be housed in the state’s Office of Financial Management and will coordinate with state and local governments plus businesses on a variety of recovery topics, including community and social services, education and child care, employment and jobs, equity and social justice, health, housing, infrastructure, energy and supporting small business.
“COVID-19 has tested our state in many ways and each crisis is a learning experience,” Inslee said. “While local governments, businesses and our agencies have made heroic efforts to protect and care for our communities, this crisis highlights gaps we need to close in our emergency recovery efforts and long-term rebuilding efforts. This new group will help state agencies change how we do business so that we can better serve the people of Washington.”
For more information see the full press release.
|
|
The state Department of Health on Wednesday provided another update on its progress in planning for distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, when one becomes available. The work involves coordination with federal and local partners.
According to the state:
“DOH staff has been diligently working on an initial guidebook-style plan for the past few weeks, and we are on track to turn it in to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by the October 16 due date. The plan itself outlines specific action steps the department will take, like developing an equitable vaccine allocation, setting up strong vaccine infrastructure in Washington, tracking administration data, and planning for effective communication with the public.
“We anticipate the plan being posted on the DOH website next week. This plan is an initial plan and will be continuously updated as new information becomes available and as we have further engagement and feedback from our partners.
“Washington state is well positioned to receive, handle, distribute and administer COVID-19 vaccine to its residents once a safe and effective vaccine is available. DOH has started its planning by coordinating with state agencies, local government, community leaders, health care providers, neighboring states and other partners. Tribal nations and tribal health organizations are also working hard to respond to the pandemic and support their community members. We continue to work with them government to government as we make plans for a COVID-19 vaccine.”
For more information, see the full press release.
|
|
|
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order again, directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until Nov. 13 and requires health insurers to:
- Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and Go-to-Meeting.
- Cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory illnesses billed during a provider visit for COVID-19 with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.
- Treat drive-up testing sites for COVID-19 as provider visit with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.
For more information, see the full press release.
|
|
|
|
Case counts as of October 16, 2020.
|
|
|
ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
