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Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday said that restrictions on public gatherings and other steps designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 will remain in effect until at least Jan. 4 as infections continue to climb statewide. Meanwhile, the governor also announced $50 million in additional economic aid for businesses hard hit by the pandemic.
The rapid growth in COVID cases is an “extremely alarming situation” that is accompanied by a corresponding jump in hospitalizations, Inslee told a press conference.
The decision to keep restrictions in place for restaurants, fitness centers and other businesses was difficult, but also recognized that “we are suffering a very dire situation with the pandemic,” Inslee said.
The governor said $50 million in additional COVID relief has been identified to assist struggling businesses. State Commerce Director Lisa Brown joined Inslee. She vowed that her department will move swiftly to get relief funds to those who need them most.
“We will prioritize small businesses in every corner of the state,” she said.
Inslee said that keeping the restrictions in place through the rest of the holiday season was a difficult but necessary step, and a “matter of life or death for our citizens.”
To learn more about Tuesday’s announcement, read the full story on the governor's Medium page. More on Working Washington Small Business grants is here. The press conference also can be viewed on TVW.
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County Executive Dave Somers and Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters gave updates Tuesday morning on the response to COVID-19 in Snohomish County.
The rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in Snohomish County is now more than triple the peak we saw during the first wave back in March. We’ve reached 428 cases per 100,000.
COVID-related deaths are mirroring what we saw back in the spring, with 22 deaths in a single week at the end of November.
“When you have dozens of people dying a week from a communicable disease, the transmission of which is ongoing and widespread, it’s severe. I think the numbers speak for themselves,” Dr. Spitters said.
Other topics included a “thank you” to the workforce that makes the ongoing response possible, information about the status of vaccine planning and a summary of a mock delivery test the Health District participated in, and a look at the rising case rate and demand on hospitals.
Watch: https://youtu.be/JpiF0HCRvyc
Read the transcript: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5876/transcript-december-8-2020-briefing?bidId=
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The Snohomish Health District on Tuesday published updated heat maps and color-coded case rates maps that show the distribution of COVID-19 across Snohomish County.
The maps show that there are no areas of Snohomish County that are low transmission or low risk for COVID-19. Multiple ZIP Codes are seeing case rates above 500 cases per 100,000 population.
The maps can be viewed on the local case counts page at www.snohd.org/casecounts, and are linked directly below.
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This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Snohomish Health District wants to remind people that it is not too late to get vaccinated against influenza.
It’s important for everyone to get a flu vaccine this year — especially people living with certain chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma or diabetes, who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Even
Flu vaccination can reduce the burden of flu illnesses on our medical systems so they can focus on patients with COVID-19. Make a plan to get vaccinated if you haven’t already.
More info: http://www.snohd.org/154/The-Flu
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Given the high rates of COVID-19 in Washington and around the country, winter holiday celebrations need to look different than in years past. Many of the ways we traditionally celebrate the holidays include contact with non-household members in large group settings. The Department of Health (DOH) strongly urges everyone to limit their holiday celebrations to only members of their immediate households.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, it is important to keep the following in mind:
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Avoid close contact with people outside of your household. Stay at least 6 feet away from all other people who are not part of your household.
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Wear a cloth face covering anytime you are with people not from your household. This includes family members and close friends who do not live with you. Make sure the face covering fits snugly over your nose and mouth.
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Avoid confined indoor spaces. Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities. If participating in an outdoor event is not possible and you choose to attend an indoor event, avoid crowded poorly ventilated, and fully enclosed indoor spaces. Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors if possible.
- Wash or sanitize your hands (and the hands of little ones) often.
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Stay home if you are sick or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are sick, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, stay home and away from others.
“As the state continues to experience very high COVID-19 activity, now is not the time to let our guard down” said Lacy Fehrenbach, Deputy Secretary of Health for COVID-19. “We understand that people want to gather with friends and extended family in-person for the holidays, but that just isn’t possible to do safely this year. Many of us discovered creative and unique ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, and we are asking everyone do the same when planning their winter holiday celebrations.”
See the full press release for ideas and information.
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The city of Mountlake Terrace has just received funding for a third round of grants for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The deadline to apply is December 13. Eligible businesses may be awarded up to $5,000.
For more information: https://www.cityofmlt.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=861
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The City of Mill Creek’s Economic Support Team has received additional funding for COVID-19 small business grants. The City can award up to $117,192 in grants to businesses located in the City of Mill Creek.
Key Dates
- December 16, 2020: Application is due by 5 p.m. including the Grant Agreements with required supporting documents.
- December 30, 2020: Awards will be announced, and checks available for pick up.
How Do I Apply After Reviewing the Documents?
- Complete and sign the Agreement Form
- Scan/attach all required documentation listed on Page 10 to be eligible.
- Include your grant ask amount with breakdown of justification (example: payroll, rent, etc.).
- Return completed packet to COMCCARESGrant@cityofmillcreek.com by December 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
For more information, see the city’s CARES Relief Grant page.
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The City of Monroe, in partnership with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, is offering a third round of the Small Business Relief Grants. The Chamber will administer this round, receiving all applications and issuing grant payments. The City has allocated $40,000 to assist businesses with expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020. Grants are anticipated to be awarded between $1,000 and $5,000. Application deadline is 3:30 p.m. on December 15. Please visit the Chamber website at https://www.choosemonroe.com/2020-grant-assistance.aspx for more details.
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As vaccines for the coronavirus enter review for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the share of Americans who say they plan to get vaccinated has increased as the public has grown more confident that the development process will deliver a safe and effective vaccine. Still, the U.S. public is far from uniform in views about a vaccine. A majority says they would be uncomfortable being among the first to take it, and a sizable minority appear certain to pass on getting vaccinated.
Overall, 60% of Americans say they would definitely or probably get a vaccine for the coronavirus, if one were available today, the survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found, up from 51% who said this in September. About four-in-ten (39%) say they definitely or probably would not get a coronavirus vaccine, though about half of this group – or 18% of U.S. adults – says it’s possible they would decide to get vaccinated once people start getting a vaccine and more information becomes available.
Yet, 21% of U.S. adults do not intend to get vaccinated and are “pretty certain” more information will not change their mind.
The report also explores public attitudes about mask wearing, trust in science and other differences in fear over infection. For more information, read the online synopsis or download the full report.
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The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine released new forecasts Thursday that incorporate expected rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine for all countries. The projections show that even with expected vaccine rollout, the United States is forecast to see 539,000 deaths by April 1. Especially in Northern Hemisphere countries currently experiencing a winter surge, continued vigilance to control the spread of the virus will be necessary for several months.
“Mass scale-up of vaccination in 2021 means we have a path back to normal life, but there are still a few rough months ahead,” said Dr. Christopher Murray, IHME director. “We must be vigilant in protecting ourselves at least through April, when, as our projections indicate, vaccines will begin to have an impact.”
The forecasts now include scenarios of rapid vaccine rollout, expected rollout, and no vaccine. A rapid vaccine rollout is forecast to reduce the death toll to 528,000 in the US. The forecasts show that if mask-wearing increased to 95%, combined with expected vaccine rollout, approximately 66,000 lives could be saved, compared to a vaccine rollout scenario with current mask-wearing levels remaining the same. Even with a vaccine, if states do not act to bring current surges under control, the death toll could reach 770,000 by April 1.
Over next four months, wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, and mounting an effective response to address hospital overcrowding all are vital to reducing deaths as winter surge continues, the IHME says.
For more information, see the full press release.
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Right now, making healthy choices -- such as meal planning -- can feel like a major accomplishment.
Even if it’s just for one weekend.
And your spouse wraps up a Zoom meeting to find a sudden volley of overenthusiastic texts.
“Honey, when’s the last time we cooked a vegetable?”
Start simple: www.choosemyplate.gov
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For some of us, here we are, wearing masks to work and talking to people through glass shields. We’re disinfecting the copier and spacing out our chairs in the break room.
For others, the comforts of home might seem confining after all these months. The business attire is gathering dust, and the Netflix queue is running low.
Whatever your situation, we appreciate you following the public health guidelines.
In 2020, work is weird. #InItTogether
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Cumulative from Jan. 2020 through Dec. 8, 2020
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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