Social distancing and masks necessities stay in place throughout Washington. (MyNorthwest photograph)
The state Division of Well being says there have been over 382,000 confirmed coronavirus circumstances in Washington, and 5,564 folks have died from the virus statewide. The state says 5,750,348 doses of vaccine have been administered. Examine beneath for extra updates.
As of April 15, everybody in Washington state age 16 or older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Anybody who was eligible in an earlier section or tier stays eligible.
Discover a vaccine location close to you or name 800-525-0127 to get assist discovering an appointment.
Confirmed coronavirus circumstances throughout Washington state
Sunday, Might 9
7:48am – In Pierce County, 600 vaccine appointments a day are unfilled on the Tacoma Dome. The county is considered one of three that had been moved to Section 2 of the reopening plan and stays there, so there’s an enormous incentive to get folks vaccinated.
Saturday, Might 8
5:54pm – There have been 382,578 confirmed COVID-19 circumstances statewide and 5,564 deaths, as reported by the state Division of Well being.
1:35pm – The Washington Hospitality Affiliation has began a petition asking Governor Inslee to place a plan in place to totally reopen the state and to really set a date. The top of the affiliation says Washington and Hawaii are the one two states that don’t have a plan to maneuver ahead. Learn extra.
6:44am – Included as a part of a brand new report the Washington State Division of Well being launched on Friday is a discovering that the “overwhelming majority of circumstances within the state at the moment are related to variants of concern.” As of Might 6, the report from the DOH estimates over 80% of circumstances in Washington have been seemingly because of the B.1.1.7 variant, and about 10% because of the P.1 variant.
The state DOH additionally says there are indicators that case counts are beginning to flatten, however says it’s too early to inform if this development will proceed. Illness exercise nonetheless stays excessive — “that means vaccination efforts and habits like sporting masks, holding bodily distance and gathering outdoor are nonetheless crucial.”
Friday, Might 7
5:31pm – There appears to be hope on the horizon this week when it comes to COVID-19 case and hospitalization developments in Washington, significantly in King County. Learn extra.
4:29pm – Add Seattle Pacific College to the listing of faculties requiring COVID vaccinations for college students this fall. The college says a call about vaccinations for workers shall be made at a later date.
4:05pm – There have been 381,299 confirmed COVID-19 circumstances and 5,564 deaths statewide for the reason that begin of the pandemic, as reported by the Washington State Division of Well being. Greater than 5.7 million doses of vaccine have been given out in Washington.
3:37pm – Well being specialists say a rumor spreading on-line that 1000’s of deaths are linked to the COVID-19 vaccine is totally unfaithful. King County Well being Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin says the info being cited comes from a self-reporting system the place any deaths that occurred to return after the vaccine have been attributed to it.
“Folks die, significantly older folks, day by day,” Duchin mentioned. “Merely having died after receiving the vaccine on no account signifies that the vaccine was accountable.”
He says dying charges have dropped in older adults who’re vaccinated as a result of the shot works.
2:35pm – Jap Washington College could be the one state college that gained’t require college students to be vaccinated earlier than returning to campus within the fall.
“We all know that the choice to get vaccinated will not be one which we are able to make for you. There are good causes, non secular, medical, and philosophical, why somebody might select to not be vaccinated,” the varsity posted on its web site.
Nevertheless, the college is asking college students to “take accountability and select to be vaccinated earlier than coming again to campus.” It added that there could be some areas of campus or actions the place a vaccination requirement is carried out. Some restrictions may additionally be eased for college students who’ve been vaccinated. Learn the college’s full assertion right here.
1:52pm – Moderna reported on Thursday that its vaccine is 96% efficient in 12 to 17-year-olds and can submit its findings to the Meals and Drug Administration for approval by the top of Might, stories Forbes.
Authorization is anticipated as quickly as subsequent week for Pfizer in its approval request for vaccine that it says is 100% efficient for youngsters aged 12 to fifteen.
12:03pm – The World Well being Group gave emergency use authorization Friday to a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China’s Sinopharm, probably paving the way in which for hundreds of thousands of the doses to succeed in needy nations by a U.N.-backed program rolling out coronavirus vaccines. Learn extra from the Related Press right here.
10:27am – The Seattle Mariners introduced Friday that will probably be now offer particular seating for vaccinated followers, or these between ages of 2-16 who present proof of a detrimental COVID-19 check.
Seats shall be priced as little as $10, located within the Centerfield Bleachers for all video games, and in Sections 306-310 and Sections 149-151 “for choose video games.”
Vaccinated followers may also have unique entry to the T-Cell ‘Pen, devoted entry lanes, 20% off meals and drinks, and an “unique Mariners #SeaUsRise t-shirt.”
9:01am – Eating places in Washington have declined the choice to supply vaccinated solely sections, however resorts and occasion facilities are open to the chance.
“On the lodging aspect and the occasions aspect, there’s a dialog happening,” Washington Hospitality Affiliation Head Anthony Anton mentioned.
Anton notes that they’re “nonetheless undecided the way it’s going to work,” however logistics are nonetheless being mentioned.
6:48am – Whereas Washington state fights slowing COVID-19 vaccine demand and tries to fill the hole between these totally vaccinated and the brink for herd immunity, individuals who don’t return for his or her second dose are creating one other problem. Learn extra.
5:27am – Nonetheless seeking to get vaccinated? Seattle-King County Public Well being is providing a $10 present card to Dave and Busters to the primary 250 folks to get a dose after 2 p.m. on the Auburn Outlet mall vaccination web site.
Appointments should not wanted, as walk-ins are welcomed.
Thursday, Might 6
5:43pm – The top of the Washington Hospitality Affiliation is pushing for the state to totally reopen by June 15, which is identical day as California’s promised full reopening. Learn extra.
4:24pm – There have been 380,109 confirmed COVID-19 circumstances with 5,553 deaths statewide for the reason that begin of the pandemic, as reported by the Washington State Division of Well being. Greater than 5.6 million vaccine doses have been given out in Washington.
3:39pm – Western Washington College in Bellingham and Central Washington College in Ellensburg would require college students, employees, and school to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 when in-person lessons start this fall.
Western College President Sabah Randhawa made the announcement Wednesday, The Bellingham Herald reported. Learn extra from AP.
3:07pm – New unemployment claims in Washington state have been down virtually 10% from the week prior. Whole claims decreased 1%. The state Employment Safety Division says new claims are 90% beneath what we have been seeing final yr presently.
2:26pm – Washington has seen a rise in hospitalizations for COVID-19 throughout the state in current week, although there could possibly be hope on the horizon as numbers appear to be beginning to plateau.
Cassie Sauer, president and CEO of the Washington State Hospital Affiliation, says the fourth wave that’s already began within the space can nonetheless be circled if folks get vaccinated and maintain taking precautions to restrict the unfold of COVID-19. Learn extra.
1:09pm – There shall be a pop-up vaccine clinic in Bellevue run by a Bellevue Fireplace Division cellular workforce on Friday at Downtown Park from 9:30 a.m. to three p.m. The clinic is accessible for walk-ups for anybody 18 or older. Moderna first or second pictures and Johnson & Johnson pictures shall be provided.
Seattle Fireplace’s cellular workforce shall be on “The Ave” in Seattle’s College District on Friday for a walk-up clinic open to anybody who would really like a vaccine. Massive Time Brewery and Alehouse will give 10% off to all clients who obtain their vaccination on the pop-up on Friday and present their vaccination card, and Candy Alchemy Ice Cream is providing $1 off for these vaccinated on the Friday clinic by a coupon.
11:54am – Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant has now launched an up to date model of a lease management proposal she first unveiled in 2019, citing the continued pandemic as one of many driving causes behind the necessity to go the measure. Learn extra.
10:18am – Thurston County has 800 expiring vaccines it’s hoping to distribute by the top of the week. Learn extra.
8:31am – The variety of People searching for unemployment assist fell final week to 498,000, the bottom level for the reason that viral pandemic struck 14 months in the past, and an indication of the job market’s rising power as companies reopen and shoppers step up spending. Learn extra from the Related Press right here.
6:46am – Gov. Inslee introduced Tuesday that he’s pausing all section rollbacks in Washington for 2 weeks. Three weeks in the past, Pierce County failed to satisfy the metrics to stay in Section 3 and needed to transfer again, however when King County failed to satisfy the identical metrics, there’s now a pause. Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson despatched a letter to KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Present explaining why he thinks that’s unfair. Learn extra.
5:09am – Pfizer introduced Wednesday that the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration will quickly approve the usage of the corporate’s COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters between the ages of 12 of 15.
The choice is anticipated to return down by subsequent week, and would mark the primary COVID vaccine accessible to kids. Pfizer’s vaccine can be the one one approved for these as younger as 16. Each Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines are approved for anybody ages 18 and up.
Wednesday, Might 5
5:29pm – The Seattle Storm introduced {that a} restricted variety of followers shall be allowed to attend the house opener on Might 15 on the Angel of the Winds Area in Everett, and the following three dwelling video games after that. There shall be vaccinated sections accessible. Learn extra.
4:40pm – There have been 379,100 confirmed COVID-19 circumstances and 5,539 deaths statewide, as reported by the Washington State Division of Well being. The overall variety of vaccine doses given in Washington is now at 5,642,156.
2:51pm – After Gov. Inslee introduced that he’s pausing any extra section rollbacks in Washington, at the very least for the following two weeks, Pierce County Government Bruce Dammeier expressed his frustration, and wrote on Twitter that “treating totally different counties otherwise will not be science.” Learn extra.
1:43pm – Thurston County has about 800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine which might be set to run out by the top of the week. South Puget Sound Neighborhood Faculty is internet hosting a drive-through clinic Wednesday and Sunday, and there shall be a walk-up clinic at Thurston County’s Public Well being and Social Companies constructing in Olympia on Thursday. No appointment is required for any of those three clinics.
11:32am – Seattle’s Flowers Restaurant had its operations suspended by Seattle-King County Public Well being this week, over a number of documented situations of flouting the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Public Well being cites a handful of complaints the place folks noticed massive teams sitting in shut proximity, capability that exceeded present 50% limits, and servers not sporting face coverings. One criticism additionally claimed the proprietor mentioned he does “not care about folks” or “authorities orders” relating to COVID security guidelines.
9:41am – The Washington Division of Well being delivered its weekly briefing on Wednesday, masking the state’s ongoing efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
“In lower than 5 months, we’ve administered greater than 5.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Washington,” Assistant Secretary of Well being Michele Roberts mentioned.
Of these 5.5 million doses, the state’s mass vaccination websites have distributed 263,000 of them, whereas greater than half of all eligible Washingtonians have now had their first dose.
8:19am – Reaching herd immunity has lengthy been mentioned an unofficial end line for the pandemic, each in Washington and america. However may we really begin seeing restrictions relaxed earlier than we attain that threshold? Georgetown virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen believes so. Learn extra.
6:56am – Pierce County Council handed an ordinance enacting an extra $4 an hour in hazard pay for grocery employees on Tuesday evening, with County Government Bruce Dammeier stating his intention to veto the measure not lengthy after. Learn extra.
5:14pm – As of Tuesday, each the Mariners and the Sounders at the moment are each providing COVID-19 vaccinations in any respect dwelling video games.
The Sounders’ vaccination program at Lumen Subject began on Sunday, with the Seattle Fireplace Division serving to vaccinate 83 folks in the course of the workforce’s 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Doses shall be distributed at dwelling video games throughout the season on the West Subject Plaza outdoors of part 140 and the East Most important Concourse outdoors of part 104.
The Mariners started vaccinating followers at T-Cell Park on Tuesday evening, as a part of a partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Well being and the Metropolis of Seattle. Doses will proceed to accessible when gates open two hours earlier than first pitch at three places within the ballpark: Edgar’s Dwelling Run Porch, close to Part 105, and on the Rooftop Boardwalk on the View Stage.
Tuesday, Might 4
5:58pm – Pierce County may change into the following area to supply hazard pay for grocery employees. Councilmembers will vote on the plan throughout Tuesday’s assembly. If handed, employees would get an additional $4 an hour. This falls in step with hazard pay legal guidelines enacted in Seattle, Bellingham, Olympia, and elements of King County.
4:16pm – There have been 378,225 confirmed COVID-19 circumstances with 5,528 deaths statewide, as reported by the state Division of Well being.
3:46pm – President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a brand new vaccination purpose to ship at the very least one shot to 70% of grownup People by July 4th as he tackles the vexing drawback of successful over the “doubters” and people unmotivated to get inoculated.
Demand for vaccines has dropped off markedly nationwide, with some states leaving greater than half their accessible doses unordered. Aiming to make it simpler to get pictures, Biden referred to as for states to make vaccines accessible on a walk-in foundation and he’ll direct many pharmacies to do likewise. Learn extra from the Related Press.
2:15pm – The Seattle Mariners will supply COVID-19 vaccines to followers attending dwelling video games, beginning on Tuesday. To be eligible, you have to be 18 or older and should not have acquired your first dose but. Followers can have the selection between the single-dose Johnson & Johnson or the primary dose of Moderna. Learn extra.
12:38pm – Is giving totally vaccinated Washingtonians added privileges discrimination, or just the liberty we’ve all been wanting for the final yr? Learn extra.
11:09am – Gov. Jay Inslee introduced Tuesday that the state shall be enacting a two-week pause on rollbacks for all counties.
This comes rather than what was anticipated to be an introduced rollback for a number of Washington counties. Now, these plans shall be placed on maintain, with the state set to “consider the scenario” once more after two weeks. Learn extra.
9:50am – Gov. Inslee is anticipated to announce a rollback to Section 2 of reopening for a number of Washington counties on Tuesday. Tune into KIRO Radio at 11 a.m. to pay attention dwell.
8:26am – Whereas some masks guidelines have been relaxed for totally vaccinated folks nationwide, Dr. Helen Chu with the College of Washington warns that face coverings aren’t more likely to go away completely for the foreseeable future.
“I envision our new regular to be continued masking in indoor areas, fast testing in faculties and workplaces, and continued circulation of latest variants with yearly booster pictures,” Dr. Chu mentioned on Twitter. “The important thing lacking items are overcoming vaccine hesitancy, world vaccine rollout, and vaccines in youngsters.”
6:44am – In keeping with a report from the Washington State Division of Well being up to date on the finish of April, there have been 182 reported COVID-19 outbreaks in Okay-12 faculties statewide between Aug. 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Learn extra.
5:11am – A brand new vaccination clinic in partnership with Kaiser Permanente has been opened in Federal Approach.
Whereas Kaiser Permanente shall be serving to run the clinic, the location shall be open to everybody, no matter whether or not or not they’re a member with Kaiser. You may make an appointment on the new web site — or any of their vaccine places — right here.
Monday, Might 3
5:00pm – There have been 377,019 confirmed COVID-19 circumstances and 5,507 deaths statewide, as reported by the Washington State Division of Well being. Greater than 5.5 million vaccine doses have been given throughout the state.
4:47pm – In-person visitation will resume Sunday at state Division of Corrections’ amenities after being suspended since March 2020 for security causes and to assist mitigate the unfold of COVID-19. Visitations might be scheduled as soon as a month for as much as an hour. Guests should go an in-person COVID-19 screening and temperature verify on the facility previous to the go to.
3:14pm – The Lumen Subject Occasion Heart, Rainier Seashore, and West Seattle vaccination websites at the moment are accepting folks with out an appointment, for these searching for a primary or second dose, as a part of Seattle’s ongoing effort to make it simpler to get vaccinated. These receiving their first dose shall be scheduled for a second as soon as they register. Sufferers receiving a second dose should present proof of immunization by way of their vaccine card or immunization file.
Starting Might 5, the Lumen Subject web site will solely supply Pfizer, whereas the opposite two websites will supply all three accepted vaccines. Discover extra data or ebook an appointment on the town’s web site.
2:40pm – Thurston County’s well being division stories it has at the very least 500 Pfizer doses that should be used Monday, or they are going to be wasted.
You possibly can join a shot on the county well being division’s web site right here.
2:17pm – Gov. Inslee issued new steerage Monday for spectator occasions and non secular and faith-based organizations that permits elevated capability by including sections for vaccinated attendees. Learn extra.
1:35pm – The College of Washington is the newest school to require college students on campus to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 earlier than autumn quarter. Learn extra.
11:14am – Seattle Fireplace Division employees vaccinated 83 followers at Sunday’s Sounders FC match at Lumen Subject.
Vaccinations shall be accessible at Sounders dwelling matches for the foreseeable future, outdoors of part 140 and within the East Most important Concourse outdoors of part 104.
10:35am – Consultants now say that reaching nationwide herd immunity could also be unlikely, in response to a brand new report from the New York Occasions.
The prevailing perception is that due to more-infectious variant strains — and a rising hesitancy amongst many to get vaccinated — attaining the 70-80% vaccination charge wanted for herd immunity may in the end show inconceivable for america.
Mixed with various charges of vaccinations on a city-to-city foundation, totally quashing outbreaks turns into that rather more troublesome.
8:46am – Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to announce rollbacks to Section 2 for a number of Washington counties on Tuesday. That’s an method King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn argues isn’t in line with how the state must be approaching the pandemic at this stage. Learn extra.
7:01am – A neighborhood highschool is providing college students practically half of their required group service hours to get the coronavirus vaccine. Learn extra.
5:12am – Regardless of the prevalence of COVID-19 trending up in states like Washington and Oregon, america as a complete is starting to see a nationwide decline in circumstances and deaths.
“The mixture of accelerating vaccination and declining seasonality is driving a decline within the epidemic,” mentioned Dr. Ali Mokdad with the Institute for Well being Metrics and Analysis.
That mentioned, transmission is rising in 11 states, making elevated vaccination charges “crucial to keep away from an extra surge,” he notes.
Examine final week’s updates.
