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Hospitals in Snohomish County remain at risk of being overrun by patients requiring life-saving treatment for COVID-19, and that peril doesn’t appear to be registering with enough people, a virtual press conference was told Tuesday.
Too many eligible for vaccination against COVID continue to ignore the risks to themselves and others, avoiding taking their shots and other necessary steps, said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District.
There were 106 COVID patients being treated at hospitals in the county on Tuesday morning, with 19 requiring mechanical ventilators to breathe. Meanwhile, the county’s 14-day COVID case rate was hovering at 469 new cases per 100,000 people – one case shy of the pandemic high point.
“The good news is that the rapid increase in cases that brought us to this difficult point seems to have leveled off,” Dr. Spitters said. “The bad news is that we have leveled off at a very high rate transmission—as high as we’ve ever seen during the pandemic.”
Demand for COVID testing – an indicator of people worried about symptoms of that may herald infection – continues to run strong. There were 20,000 COVID tests conducted in the county last week, and more than 2,000 new cases reported.
Dr. Spitters urged those who are eligible and haven’t been vaccinated to take their shot. He also made a pitch for masking up when around people outside your home and urged avoiding, delaying or going online with all but essential gatherings.
Based on current case rates, there is a 75% chance of encountering at least one contagious COVID case in every group of 100 people, the press conference was told.
“We need to decrease transmission as quickly as possible or begin to face even more serious problems in accessing healthcare,” Dr. Spitters said.
Watch a video of the full briefing: https://youtu.be/i1z0ny1J7OE
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With COVID cases continuing to spread here, the Snohomish Health District is again recommending that everyone consider alternatives to non-essential events and meeting. If it does not need to happen in-person, it is in everyone’s best interest to reschedule or hold gatherings online for the time being.
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More people in Snohomish County are getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Last week, data show that another 5,300 took their first shot and 4,400 completed the series. Those are populations close in size to Sultan and Granite Falls, respectively. Getting your shot is fast, FREE and easy. Learn more at: https://www.snohd.org/587/How-to-Get-Your-Shot.
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Stop by and get your free COVID-19 shot! Community vaccination clinics are being offered this week in the following locations:
- Darrington High, 9/15, 4pm-7pm
- Cavalero Mid High, 9/17, 3pm-6pm
- New Life Church, 9/18, 11am-2pm
For more information, or to pre-register, please visit www.snohd.org/community-vax-clinics.
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Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday convened a press conference where he announced that wearing masks will be required for all outdoor events attended by 500 people or more. Masks also are recommended for other public outdoor settings. The new rule, which went into effect Monday, follows COVID-19 outbreaks linked to outdoor concerts, fairs, rodeos and other gatherings, the press conference was told.
The Snohomish Health District issued a press release, encouraging mask use in crowds outdoors, regardless of size. The precautions are necessary as the delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads, driving up infections and creating a spike in patients requiring treatment at area hospitals.
“In order to prevent further deterioration of the situation in our county’s and region’s hospitals and give our healthcare workers a break, we need everyone’s compliance with masking in public. This means indoor or outdoor, vaccinated or not,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District. “Furthermore, while many people still feel uncertain about getting vaccinated for a variety of understandable reasons, the benefits in preventing severe illness, reducing transmission to vulnerable people, and bringing the healthcare system back from the brink of disaster overwhelmingly outweigh any risks, be they real or perceived. The time is now.”
Watch Gov. Inslee’s Sept. 9 press conference.
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President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a new six-prong strategy for fighting COVID-19. Key elements include requiring vaccination or weekly COVID testing for all federal workers and contractors, plus a federal order that all companies with at least 100 employees implement a similar mandate. The new rule is expected to affect more than 100 million people across the U.S.
“This plan will ensure that we are using every available tool to combat COVID-19 and save even more lives in the months ahead, while also keeping schools open and safe, and protecting our economy from lockdowns and damage,” the White House said in briefing materials.
Key elements include:
- Requiring all employers with 100+ employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly
- Requiring vaccinations for all federal workers and for millions of contractors who do business with the federal government
- Requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for over 17 million health care workers at Medicare and Medicaid participating hospitals and other health care settings
- Calling on large entertainment venues to require proof of vaccination or testing for entry
- Requiring employers to provide paid time off to get vaccinated
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Economic Alliance Snohomish County convened a coffee chat Tuesday focused on the connection between a robust vaccination rate against COVID-19 and efforts to restore a healthy business environment.
“If we sift through all the political rhetoric and differing viewpoints, at the base level is that basic human, neighborly feeling that we all have as residents in Snohomish County,” said Garry Clark, President and CEO of EASC. “That we all have the opportunity to go home and feel safe. We are staying open and doing the right thing. The vaccination rate should increase, and we can be a forward thinking county for our businesses. This is about people."
Watch a video of the conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPeAqtcSsY4
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As students and educators head back into the classroom and restart the in-person learning routine, the state Department of Health is providing behavioral health tips and resources for navigating the emotional responses that children, teens, and adults may experience during this exciting and stressful time.
The COVID-19 Back-to-Classroom THINK Toolbox is a resource to help with adjusting to the return of in-person school and learning. THINK, which stands for Teaching with Healthcare Informed Neurological strategies for Kids, is a toolbox with information to help school-age children and teens deal with the emotional impacts of COVID-19, and tips on how to build and maintain resilience and practice self-care during a disaster.
“Children and teens are uniquely affected by the pandemic,” says Dr. Kira Mauseth, co-lead for the behavioral health strike team at the Department of Health. “Children and youth process information differently than adults. They need different structures in place to support them through disasters and large transitions, such as promoting recovery in the classroom, and return to back-to-classroom education. The THINK Toolbox was developed to address these areas and some of the trauma and stress that we’ve all experienced as a result of the pandemic."
Increased anxiety, acting out, and behavioral regression at home or at school are some of the behavioral health responses that parents, caregivers and teachers are likely to see or encounter in students this fall. Also be aware of "red flag behaviors" such as suicidal thinking or expression (talking about it), violence, and aggression – these behaviors will require more or additional professional support. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they are twice as likely to experience more intense and more frequent behavior problems during the pandemic.
See the full press release for more information.
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The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that the cost of home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for tax purposes.
The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs, HRAs, or Archer MSAs. Additional information is available on IRS.gov.
For more information regarding details and requirements on deductibility of medical expenses, taxpayers can review Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses? and Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.
“The SBA’s COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers a lifeline to millions of small businesses who are still being impacted by the pandemic,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said.
Key changes include:
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Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap. The SBA will lift the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.
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Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period. The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.
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Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure Main Street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA will implement a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 will begin after the 30-day period.
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Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds. COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.
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Simplification of affiliation requirements. To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit www.sba.gov/eidl to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.
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Safe Kids Snohomish County and South County Fire announced a record-breaking number of child window falls. There have been at least 10 incidents in 2021, with three in the last week. Prevent falls by making sure your windows are safe and secure. For more information, visit www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-snohomish-county.
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Due to increased rainfall and reduced wildfire danger, the Stage 2 burn ban in Snohomish County was modified Friday to a Stage 1 burn ban, once again allowing recreational fires in approved fire pits.
A ban remains in effect on other outdoor fires. Fire risk continues, and the county fire marshal warns that all outdoor burning, including recreational fires, will be again prohibited if Red Flag Warning conditions return. Details: https://bit.ly/3k0AGu8
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The Seattle Seahawks, University of Washington Athletics, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Storm, Mariners, and Sounders will be requiring people to be vaccinated for entry into most of their games to reduce the spread of COVID.
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Cumulative from January 2020 to present.
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ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
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