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Based on new regional data published by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Snohomish County will remain in Phase 1 for the week begin Jan. 25.
The Puget Sound Region currently meets only two of the four criteria laid out in the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery announced by Governor Jay Inslee. The reported metrics for the Puget Sound Region published Jan. 22 are as follows:
- A region must have a 10 percent or greater decrease in the rate of COVID cases per 100,000 population in most recent 14-day period measured compared to the prior 14-day period. The Puget Sound Region had a 23 percent increase December 27 through January 9 compared to December 13 through December 26, not meeting the target.
- There must be a 10 percent or greater decrease in the rate of new COVID hospital admission rates per 100,000 in most recent 14-day period measured compared to the prior 14-day period. The Puget Sound Region had a 9 percent decrease January 3 through January 16 compared to December 20 through January 2, which does not meet the target.
- Test positivity should be less than 10 percent for the most recent 7-day period measured. The Puget Sound Region had a 9 percent test positivity for December 27 through January 2, which does meet the target.
- Total ICU occupancy within a region must be less than 90 percent for the most recent 7-day period measured. The Puget Sound Region continued to meet this metric with 84 percent occupancy for January 10 through January 16.
The DOH compiles updated data by region every Friday and posts it to the new Roadmap to Recovery Metrics Dashboard. Regions that meet all four criteria above are eligible to move to Phase 2 on the following Monday. The Snohomish Health District will publish an updated snapshot on Tuesday with data comparisons specific to Snohomish County.
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Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday announced that the state was expanding vaccine eligibility to include Phase 1b1. This means approximately 150,000 more residents in Snohomish County are now eligible for the vaccine
Phase 1b1 eligibility includes residents 65 years or older, as well as those who are 50 or older and living in a household with multiple generations. Those in multigenerational households are defined as:
- People who are over the age of 50 AND are not able to live independently who either:
- are receiving long-term care from a paid or unpaid caregiver, or
- are living with someone who works outside the home
- People who are over the age of 50 AND are living with and caring for a grandchild
No one under age 50 is eligible, and no one over age 50 caring for a partner, friend, or child (except a grandchild) is eligible.
“This clearance for us to move ahead to vaccinate our older adults in the community is good news, but we sadly don’t yet have 150,000 vaccines to give out today,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District. “While we currently have the capacity to give at least 30,000 doses per week, vaccine supplies are extremely limited and nowhere near where we need them to be to achieve that speed. That means we need people to balance perseverance with patience as the vaccine supply ramps up, appointments become more available, and they wait for their turn in line.”
More than 25,000 in Snohomish County have received their first dose in the first five weeks, but vaccine supply has slowed to a trickle. Snohomish County received just over 3,000 doses this week, with close to 200,000 people eligible under Phase 1a and 1b1 vying for limited slots for their first or second dose. This has led to local providers the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce’s sites to be quickly booked out.
The Board of Health on Jan. 19 received a briefing about vaccination efforts and challenges, including the problems with supply. The county’s Vaccine Task Force has been working together since July to be ready to meet demand, the problem is vaccine supply, the board was told.
See the full briefing here: https://youtu.be/PlkcW_QCz6I. Slides from the presentation are here: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/6401
Meanwhile, vaccine appointments will be added for the County’s drive-thru sites when supplies are available. Please continue to monitor the websites every couple of days:
Eligible individuals also are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider, clinic or local pharmacy to determine what their availability and scheduling plans are. Again, it is expected to take 1-3 months to work through Phase 1b1. People will get appointments for their shots, but it will take time.
Planning for second doses of vaccines
Just as supplies are extremely limited for people trying to get their first dose, similar challenges are the case for those needing their second dose. There may be the need for healthcare providers to postpone or cancel appointments if vaccine supplies do not arrive as expected. Others may not yet be scheduling appointments because the supplies are so limited and unpredictable.
According to federal guidelines, individuals should receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine at least 28 days apart and 21 days apart for the Pfizer vaccine. These are considered the minimum intervals or amount of time needed to separate the two doses, but there is no maximum or cut-off. It is recommended that doses be given as close to that 21 or 28 days as possible, but people should not be concerned about the vaccine’s efficacy if the second dose is delayed by a few weeks.
The Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce is working on a process to register people for their second dose to ensure the brand of vaccine currently offered matches what an individual received for their first dose. It is not recommended to mix brands, such as Moderna for the first dose and Pfizer for the second, unless absolutely necessary.
The Health District is encouraging people wait until closer to their 21- or 28-day mark before seeking to schedule an appointment. In the meantime, people need to save the immunization card received during their first dose appointment. If possible, take a photo or scan a copy to have just in case the original is lost. Also know which brand of vaccine originally received and ask the vaccine provider if they are giving the same brand of vaccine.
See the full press release for more information.
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The Snohomish Health District on Friday published updated maps that show the distribution of COVID-19 across Snohomish County.
The maps show that there are no heavily populated areas of the 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.
View the maps on the health district’s case count page.
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The locations and schedules for next week’s drive-thru testing operated by the Health District are as follows:
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3900 Broadway site in Everett – open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Everett Community College site at 915 N. Broadway – open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Lynnwood Food Bank site at 5320 176th St SW – open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 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-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sultan Elementary School site at 501 Date St – open Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
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Wondering how the new Phase 1 guidance impacts sports under the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery plan? Watch this video from the Joint Information Center to find out more. #PlayCOVIDSafe
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The 2021 Eagle Festival is revised this year, due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Activities are on your own or virtual. The event timeframe is extended from January 23 through February 13 to allow more time to complete the nature-centric activities and win prizes.
The Eagle Festival brochure (www.arlingtonwa.gov/eaglefest) showcases eight parks and nature areas we recommend visiting, including Arlington’s Stormwater Wetland Park, Portage Creek Wildlife Area (in Arlington), Squire Creek Park and Forston Mill Ponds (East on SR 530 towards Darrington), Port Susan Preserve (reservation required see website), and more.
We have many other on your own activities, including Wolf Haven virtual tour and activity sheets, interactive map of our watershed, a video of salmon life cycle, a recommended book list from Arlington Library, and bird and plant identification apps for your cell phones.
New this year, the festival is promoting a fitness event called the Stilly Valley Trek. Participants of all ages and abilities can register online with their own exercise goals to reach between January 23 and February 13. The first 50 people to register online will receive a free pedometer from Stilly Valley Health Connections. More prizes will be announced. All exercise counts for this virtual event. Register at https://www.stillyvalleyhealth.org/stilly-valley-trek/
Sponsored by the City of Arlington www.arlingtonwa.gov/eaglefest
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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 Feb.21, 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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The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with Microsoft AI for Health, is proud to announce vaccine data is now available on our dashboard, an addition that will help us share progress being made statewide as we endeavor to get COVID-19 vaccine to millions of people across the state of Washington.
The dashboard now includes a high-level vaccination snapshot under the Current Status tab as well as a new Vaccinations tab with statewide and county-level data on where, when and how many people are getting vaccinated.
In the new tab, you can view the number of doses given in each county and statewide in a map view or by date. For the state level, you can also see the number of doses delivered to providers and the number of doses delivered through the federal long-term care program. The new tab also shows the population percentage and number of people who have received at least one dose of vaccine and completed the recommended number of doses in each county and the state.
For more information, see the full press release.
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Gov. Jay Inslee this week issued extensions of 26 emergency proclamations, which were extended by the Legislature on Jan. 15 with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8402.
The proclamations cover a broad range of statutory waivers that support state and local services during the COVID pandemic, including those necessary to support long term care and behavioral health facilities, to provide access to government, to provide relief from tax penalties and fees, and to protect federal stimulus payments from collection for consumer debt. See the full statement for more information.
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State unemployment was 7.1% in December
Washington’s economy lost 9,900 jobs in December and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate increased from 5.7% in November to 7.1% in December, according to the Employment Security Department.
“The renewed efforts taken to contain the spread of COVID deeply impacted industries that provide high-contact services,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Nowhere is that more apparent than in leisure and hospitality. Beyond that, employment in other industries is mostly holding up better.”
Snohomish County had a 4.8% unemployment rate in November, with 20,776 reportedly jobless people out of a civilian workforce of more than 400,000, state data show. From November 2020 – December 2020, the number of people who were unemployed statewide increased from 219,200 to 272,500. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed increased from 77,200 to 122,200 over the same period.
The unemployment rate in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region was calculated at 7.1% for December, according to the state’s monthly report.
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Weekly unemployment claims drop
Unemployment claims in Snohomish County declined nearly 28% during the week of Jan. 10-16, the state Employment Security Department announced Thursday. There were 2029 new unemployment claims filed in the county, compared to 2,811 the week before.
Statewide, there were 19,212 initial regular unemployment claims during the week of Jan. 10-16, down 29.2% from the prior week.
 Job search requirements continue to be suspended during pandemic
The Washington State House of Representatives and Senate voted to continue the suspension of job search requirements until the Pandemic State of Emergency is withdrawn by the governor or legislative action, whichever is first. This means you can continue to answer “no” to the job search question on your weekly claim until the suspension is lifted. For more information, read the full press release.
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The Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, has launched a program to provide COVID-19 vaccines to service members, retirees, and their families. Under this program, the DoD will distribute the vaccines through a series of phases.
For veterans enrolled in VA health care, the VA is now offering vaccines to these 2 groups:
- Veterans living in our long-term care facilities, and
- VA health care personnel. Vaccinating VA health care personnel helps the VA continue providing care for Veterans.
After these first 2 groups, the VA will begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
If you’re eligible to get a vaccine, your VA health care team will contact you. You don’t need to reserve a vaccine, or come to a VA facility to request or receive a vaccine until we contact you.
If you’re not currently receiving health care through VA, you can apply now.
For veterans not eligible for DOD or VA Vaccines, you can visit the My Phase Finder at the WA State Department of Health to learn when and where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Read the full release.
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The University of Washington and Washington State University, with support from Tacoma Community College, have created the Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD) to monitor how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic security and food access for Washington State residents. This information will help state and community partners to identify needs and support resource allocation for WA State residents.
You may access the online survey here: https://redcap.link/WAFOOD2
It should only take about 15 minutes to complete and is computer and smartphone capable.
This survey will ask questions about your health, food access, and economic needs. The goal is to learn more about how WA residents are handling economic and food disruptions due to the pandemic. Washington State residents who are 18 years or older may participate.
Upon completing the survey, you will have the option to provide an email address to enter a drawing for a $50 grocery store gift card (one of fifty). Entering the drawing is optional, and you can participate in the survey without providing an email address. Taking part in this study is voluntary. You will NOT be asked for your name, protected health information, or any identifying information.
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PPP now open to all participating lenders
As of Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is open to all participating lenders. That means eligible small businesses can now submit PPP First and Second Draw applications to any participating PPP lender.
In general, a First Draw PPP loan is for eligible borrowers who did not receive a PPP loan before the program closed in August 2020. A Second Draw PPP loan is for certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan, generally have 300 employees or less, and have suffered a 25% reduction in gross receipts.
More information on the Paycheck Protection Program.
60,000 PPP loans approved in first week
The U.S. Small Business Administration on Tuesday announced that it has approved approximately 60,000 PPP) loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, between the program’s re-opening on Monday, Jan. 11, at 9 a.m. ET through to Sunday, Jan. 17.
The PPP last week provided dedicated access to community financial institutions that specialize in serving underserved communities, including minority- women-, and veteran-owned small businesses from Monday through Thursday, joined Friday by smaller lenders.
Other SBA COVID-19 relief programs
Low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provide working capital to small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Details to apply now.
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program will provide eligible organizations who've had a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic an opportunity to apply for up to a $10 million grant. Program details.
Connect with business experts from the SBA Resource Partner Network to create a resiliency plan, advise you on financing options, and provide other assistance and guidance you need to move your business forward. Find an adviser.
Information on Additional Resources Forthcoming
Information on other COVID-19 assistance for small businesses -- including Express Bridge Loan, SBA Debt Relief, Targeted EIDL Advance -- is on the SBA website with additional updates coming soon.
The SBA is committed to ensuring relief programs are launched as quickly as possible to deliver critical economic aid to America’s small businesses. Read about relief options.
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We don’t talk about it much, but a pandemic strains relationships.
We each have COVID comfort zones, and we can’t force others to feel the same, or to follow the rules most important to us.
We worry about the people we love.
But six months to a year from now, we want to look back and feel good about the steps we took, and how we treated others, even when we didn’t agree with their choices. www.snohd.org/covid
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Cumulative from Jan. 2020 through Jan. 22, 2021
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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