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Snohomish County saw a second week of decreased case rates, down from 417 to 330 cases per 100,000 population. This is encouraging, and we want to thank everyone who has taken steps to reduce the spread of COVID.
It is worth noting that COVID testing availability was limited over the holiday, so numbers of new cases are likely lower in part due to the temporary decline in testing activity.
As we get ready to say farewell to 2020 and ring in 2021, remember to keep up prevention measures like masking, distancing, handwashing and staying home if you feel ill. Make your health and your community’s health part of your New Year’s resolutions. #InItTogether
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All drive-thru testing sites and the call center will be closed January 1. The remaining schedule will be as follows:
- 3900 Broadway site in Everett – reduced hours December 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but all other days, including weekends, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Everett Community College site at 915 N. Broadway – open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Evergreen State Fairgrounds in the front parking lot off of 179th Ave SE in Monroe – open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday, December 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sultan Elementary School site – closed until January 8.
Testing is by appointment only and registration is now open at www.snohd.org/testing. Those without internet access or needing language assistance can reach the Health District’s call center at 425.339.5278. The call center is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers after hours or on weekends can leave a message, which will be returned on the next business day.
Testing is open to anyone, regardless of symptoms, but 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.
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In an effort to better communicate information about the COVID-19 pandemic to all residents of Snohomish County, the Snohomish County Joint Information Center has launched a new email newsletter to share available materials and resources.
This newsletter will be used to periodically share updated information and new translated materials and/or graphics that may be helpful for our partners and community organizations throughout Snohomish County.
To subscribe, go to www.snohd.org/notifyme and sign up for COVID-19 Information for Multicultural Communities under the "Notify Me" heading.
See the first edition here: https://cvcpl.us/iA0ruMv
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Irma Ruiz, amiga de Master Builders Association del Condado de King y Snohomish, usa una máscara para protegerte a ti. ¿Por qué usas una máscara? ¡Cuéntanos en los comentarios a continuación! #MaskUpWA #MaskMonday
Este video fue realizado en asociación con Restart Us
Irma Ruiz, friend of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, wears a mask to protect you. Why do you wear a mask? #MaskUpWA #MaskMonday
This video was made in partnership with Restart Us
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Among the first people in Snohomish County to receive COVID-19 vaccinations are firefighters and emergency medical first responders who have been providing direct care for COVID patients. Some firefighters, including union members of the Everett and Arlington Fire Departments, took to social media over the weekend to share their experience with the first of two doses of vaccine.
“Your Everett Firefighters are honored to be receiving the Covid-19 Moderna vaccine and help slow the spread of the virus,” the firefighters said on Facebook.
“We are happy to announce that our members are getting their COVID vaccination this weekend! We appreciate all the hard work that our administration has put towards making this happen,” Arlington firefighters shared on Facebook.
More information on COVID vaccines: https://www.snohd.org/564/COVID-Vaccine-Info
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Gov. Jay Inslee on Sunday announced that the state will provide funding for almost 100,000 Washingtonians who will lose federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits following President Trump’s lack of speedy action on the federal coronavirus relief package. The president had until midnight on Dec. 26 to sign the sweeping relief bill to avert a lapse in PUA benefits. He didn’t act until Dec. 27.
“In our state, we prepared for the possibility of a lapse in benefits and in anticipating it, we developed a plan for a one-time payment for those who have been receiving PUA benefits,” Inslee said in a press release Sunday morning. “Because we established a state backup plan, we can take action today to help some of those harmed by the president’s decision.”
Under the plan, Washington will provide $54 million to extend a one-time Pandemic Relief Payment to 94,555 people in our state who have been claiming PUA and will be immediately impacted by the lapse in federal benefits.
This emergency payment will be issued by the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) to all PUA claimants who were in active status the week ending Nov. 21, and will total $550 per claimant, which equates to roughly two weeks of benefits for most PUA recipients.
As signed, the federal relief package extends federal PUA benefits through March 14. The PUA program provides federal unemployment benefits for those not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance, such as independent contractors and self-employed workers.
See the press release for Inslee’s full comments.
ESD has more information on their webpage at https://esd.wa.gov/pandemic-relief
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Over the past nine months, Washington state has distributed more than $2.1 billion to orchestrate ongoing, significant relief efforts across multiple sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic — a public health crisis affecting more aspects of life than most people have ever experienced.
This funding was Washington’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). It is just a portion of the roughly $7.6 billion the federal government has sent to help the state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and recover from the economic fallout. The federal government has provided grants directly to state and local governments, hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care providers, health care providers, colleges and universities, food assistance programs and many other programs.
“Families, businesses and communities have and will continue to benefit from state and federal dollars that bolster economic and financial relief for millions. We know more is coming from the federal government which is great news and I am pleased that our state agencies worked so hard to get this money into communities throughout Washington,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “This funding has buoyed businesses and supported those whose finances and health have been deeply impacted by this virus. We know the need is great and will continue well into the coming year, but these funds are helping right now.”
State agencies have used the funds to provide support services that include housing, food, grants, business assistance and medical needs across Washington. Inslee’s budget office worked with legislative leaders to decide how to best distribute the state’s CARES Act funding.
Read the rest of the story and about the breakdown of some of the largest distributions on the governor's Medium page.
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Snohomish County Human Services' Department of Long Term Care & Aging provides community leadership on issues related to aging. They plan, coordinate, and advocate for the development and delivery of a range of services that help older persons and younger adults with disabilities meet their needs and maximize their potential.
They would like to invite you to take the COVID-19 Seniors Survey. The survey is available online or by mail. The purpose of the survey will be to measure the impacts of COVID-19 on seniors in Snohomish County and how to prioritize programs and services in the future.
The survey is open through January 15, 2021 and is available in Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Visit Snohomish County’s Long Term Care and Aging website: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/430/Long-Term-Care-Aging
To request the survey in a different language or to request a mailed paper copy, please contact Kelsey.Bang-Olsen@snoco.org
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“Wait… I do have a question. How do I get through this?”
In two months as a COVID-19 case and contact investigator, this was the first time anyone asked me that.
As an investigator, I interview people who test positive for COVID-19, and those with whom they have close contact. Information I gather helps identify where and how people are exposed to the virus — in an effort to help slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19. I also provide information about how to stop the spread of COVID-19 and answer questions people may have.
While recovering from COVID-19, this friendly, outgoing person was not sure how they would stay home and make it through the 10-day isolation period. Their question caught me off guard. There’s certainly no canned response or easy answer I could use. I took a deep breath.
“Well, you’re probably more than halfway through it,” I said.
I based my response on the guidance that once symptoms resolve, a person can end isolation around 10 days after symptoms began. More than five days out from onset of symptoms, the person was feeling better. I thought about the kind of advice I’d want to hear at a time like this.
“It is hard. You might call up some old friends you haven’t talked with in a while, maybe connect on social media…” I trailed off, hoping I conveyed the compassion I felt for their situation. In some ways, engaging with people who are isolated or quarantined — people who can’t do what they usually do — is the most difficult part of COVID-19 case and contact investigations.
That’s what it’s like as an investigator. You meet a person for the first time on the phone, someone in distress, anxious, or uncertain, and you’ve got about 30 seconds to build a rapport.
See the full blog post for more.
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended two emergency orders. His order requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) and his order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are both extended until Jan. 23, 2021.
Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term, limited-duration medical plans. The order on surprise billing applies to both in-state and out-of-state laboratories when a provider orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
Also, insurers must continue:
- Allowing a one-time early refill for prescription drugs.
- Suspending any prior authorization requirement for treatment or testing of COVID-19.
- In addition, if an insurer does not have enough medical providers in its network to provide testing or treatment for COVID-19, it must allow enrollees to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost.
“Consumers are rightly concerned about prevention, testing and possible treatment,” Kreidler said. “My emergency order provides guidance to health insurers and should help reassure the public that we will take all necessary steps to protect them.”
See the full press release for more information.
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Researchers are studying how the pandemic is affecting access to food in Washington. They are conducting an online survey to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on food security, food assistance, economic well-being, and prospects for economic recovery.
The survey will identify areas of special need and will help state and county agencies and charitable organizations make decisions about the distribution of food assistance and relief funds.
The survey should take 15 minutes or less to complete. Those who complete it are eligible to enter a drawing for a $50 grocery store gift card (one of 50).
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New Year’s might be a little different for this season of “no,” “not now” and “Well, this is different.”
We miss those special moments with friends and family.
Thank you for celebrating safely. It moves us closer to a future of “Come over for dinner!”
coronavirus.wa.gov/gatherings
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Ringing in the New Year at home can be fun. Pull out your favorite games and dig into your favorite snacks. Play a round of New Year’s BINGO with your household members, or virtually with a friend group. Let’s celebrate some of innovative ways we’ve adapted and made this holiday season special.
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Cumulative cases from Jan. 2020 through Dec. 29, 2020.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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