Coronavirus updates: Western State patient tests positive; Puyallup shelter closes
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Thursday, March 19.
Updated at 4:40 p.m.
Washington has reached 74 COVID-19 fatalities as of Thursday, up from Wednesday’s 65 cases. The state Department of Health reported 1,376 confirmed cases across Washington on Thursday, an uptick of 189 from Wednesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 10,000 cases and 150 fatalities across the nation.
Pierce County has reported one death and 75 cases since the first reported case two weeks ago. Patients over the age of 70 have accounted for estimated 85 percent of Washington fatalities.
Washington halts elective surgeries, dentistry, other procedures
Updated at 4:40 p.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday ordered a halt to elective surgeries and dental services, saying the state must make sure that health care workers have enough protective equipment to work the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor’s proclamation applies to any non-urgent procedure that requires medical professionals to wear personal protective equipment and covers hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental, orthodontic and endodontic offices. Inslee’s proclamation makes clear that the restrictions do not apply to treatment for patients with emergency and urgent needs.
There are other exceptions too, such as if delaying the elective surgery would cause harm to the patient within the next three months. Banned procedures include but are not limited to most joint replacements, most cataract and lens surgeries, non-urgent cardiac procedures, cosmetic procedures, some endoscopy and some interventional radiology services.
Homeless shelters in Puyallup shut down
Updated at 1:15 p.m.
Homeless services in Puyallup have all but come to a halt in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Freezing Nights, the only overnight shelter program outside of Tacoma, announced Monday it would suspend shelter services this year.
The only daytime center in East Pierce County, the New Hope Resource Center, has reduced daily hours to 12 to 3 p.m. Director Paula Anderson asks the public to donate sleeping bags or tents, because those experiencing homelessness have no other option.
Mike Boisture, who heads Freezing Nights, said once Gov. Jay Inslee announced social gatherings of more than 50 were prohibited, he felt like his hands were tied. Having folks sleeping close to each other would create incubation for the virus.
Currently, there is no place for those experiencing homelessness in Puyallup to go. Many are camped on the Puyallup Riverwalk, with the 30 or so tents New Hope has provided or in their cars. Anderson said the city should consider a temporary tent city so that providers can monitor how those living in tents are doing, cloister those who are sick and provide sanitation.
L&I halts walk-in visits
Updated at 10:45 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has halted walk-in visits to its regional offices. Customers must now have a confirmed appointment between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to be allowed in the offices. Public doors to L&I’s regional locations will be locked as part of this temporary policy.
Customers can conduct business with L&I over the phone and online during all normal business hours. Business that must be conducted in-person will require a call to the local office to make an appointment.
Customers can find numbers for all regional office on the L&I website and can also call the L&I Office of Information and Assistance at 360-902-5800. These changes in front-counter in-person customer service are in effect until further notice.
Mount Rainier National Park closes several facilities
Updated at 10:45 a.m.
Mount Rainier National Park has closed some of its facilities to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Paradise Jackson Visitor Center, Paradise Snowplay Area and the Longmire Museum are temporarily closed to help limit the number of people in close proximity.
The park said it consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before making the decision. Members of the public can still access the park through the Nisqually entrance. The gate from Longmire to Paradise remained closed Thursday. To ensure all people have access to the outdoors during the COVID-19 outbreak, all national park entrance fees have been suspended.
Western State Hospital patient tests positive for COVID-19
Updated at 8 a.m.
A patient at Western State Hospital in Lakewood tested positive for COVID-19, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services confirmed on Wednesday.
The patient went to a Pierce County hospital on March 13 for outpatient surgery and developed post-operative fever. The patient returned to Western on March 15. The patient still had a fever upon return, so standard infection control measures were put in place. On March 16, the patient still had a fever and was again returned to the same Pierce County hospital where he tested positive for COVID-19. The patient remains at the Pierce County hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
DSHS Chief Medical Officer and hospital leadership are working with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to implement contact tracing.
All patients currently residing in the same unit at Western State Hospital will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms several times a day. Western will also limit movement of patients off wards and will restrict movements of staff between units. All staff continue to self-screen for symptoms. Visitors to Western State Hospital between March 13-16 are encouraged to monitor symptoms.
This item has been corrected to say the patient returned to the same Pierce County hospital on March 16, not Western.
Washington’s cases reach 1,187 with more than 65 deaths reported
Updated at 8 a.m.
The state Department of Health reported 175 new cases of coronavirus and 15 additional fatalities attributed to the disease it causes Wednesday.
The total number of cases reported by the Department of Health statewide now is 1,187 with 66 deaths. That number did not include Pierce County’s first reported death, that of a woman in her 50s with underlying health issues. Pierce County has a total of 56 reported cases, which is the third highest in the state.
The state reported that nearly 16,000 coronavirus tests have been administered statewide. The bulk of the cases have been in King County, where 562 cases and 56 deaths have been reported.
U.S. Attorney’s Office on alert for fraud allegations regarding COVID-19
Updated at 8 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran is asking federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to be alert to frauds preying on those concerned about COVID-19.
“In a time of high stress and fear it is critical that for the public to know that law enforcement at all levels remains dedicated to protecting them from harm – whether it is from scams, frauds or violent crime,” U.S. Attorney Moran said in a release.
“As Attorney General Barr has directed, we will remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. To those who are engaged in perpetrating these schemes, you are on notice that my office will aggressively pursue you and hold you to answer for preying on our communities.”
The Western District of Washington is already monitoring issues related to phishing attempts and efforts to infect emails, links and postings with malware. If you or someone you know believe you’ve been the target or victim of an outbreak-related fraud scheme, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov.
No residential evictions for 30 days, Gov. Inslee announces
Updated at 8 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced a statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for the next 30 days, along with several other measures to help workers, small businesses, and other residents who are facing the loss of income during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Under Inslee’s order, law enforcement may not enforce eviction orders based solely on non-payment of rent.
Inslee also urged all public utilities to suspend disconnection charges for nonpayment, waive late fees for customers who are out of work, offer customers payment plans, and expand bill assistance programs for customers who are economically impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. The governor said many utilities have taken some or all of the actions, including Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Public Utilities.
Inslee announced a waiver of the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits to “get more funds in the pockets of unemployed workers at a time when they need it most.” Inslee also is waiving restrictions on hours worked for delivery drivers carrying groceries, medical supplies and equipment, pharmaceuticals, fuel and pet food and supplies.
To help prevent closure of businesses due to COVID-19, the governor said up to $5 million will be used for grants to help small businesses. The state Department of Commerce will be in charge of taking applications.
Also, Inslee said the state Department of Revenue will suspend late-filing fees for property tax exemption renewals; business license renewal late fees; and excise tax interest on business and occupation, real estate sales, and other taxes. These measures will be in effect for at least 30 days and also are retroactive to Feb. 29, the day Inslee declared a state of emergency.
Man staying at Rescue Mission shelter tests positive for COVID-19
Updated at 8 a.m.
An individual who had been staying at the Tacoma Rescue Mission’s emergency homeless shelter for men has tested positive for COVID-19, the nonprofit announced late Wednesday. It marks the second positive COVID-19 test at Tacoma homeless shelters this week.
According to a statement provided by the Tacoma Rescue Mission, the positive test result was received earlier in the day.
Reached by The News Tribune, the Rescue Mission could not provide the man’s age. Tacoma Rescue Mission executive director Duke Paulson did say the man had been staying at the Rescue Mission’s South Tacoma Way shelter for “about a month,” adding that he was “in pretty good health and pretty good spirits.”
Paulson said the shelter and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department officials believe seven people were potentially exposed to the coronavirus. All of them had slept near the man who tested positive during his stay at Tacoma Rescue Mission, Paulson said. Those potentially exposed have been separated from the general shelter population, Paulson said, and are currently being monitored for symptoms.
Tacoma Mall to close to help fight the spread of coronavirus
Updated at 8 a.m.
The Tacoma Mall will close Wednesday night and stay shuttered through March 29 to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, the Tacoma Mall’s owner, is temporarily closing all its U.S. properties, the company announced Wednesday afternoon. Simon said the decision came after extensive discussions with federal, state and local officials.
UW spring quarter classes will be held remotely
Updated at 8 a.m.
The spring quarter at the University of Washington will begin as scheduled on March 30, with remote instruction that will continue through the end of the quarter. The quarter will end as scheduled, after final exams conclude on June 12.
UW has created a page with answers to questions about spring quarter and will be updating that frequently. Online student support services for advising, financial aid, libraries, counseling and career services will be available, and staffing adjustments are underway to expand service capabilities. There will be no change in financial aid for full-time students enrolled in spring quarter who qualify for and planned to receive it.
Residence halls, along with limited dining services, remain available to students who need to reside on campus. All students who remain in campus housing will be required to stay in residence halls or apartments with private bathrooms to limit shared hygienic spaces and encourage social distancing. For those who do live on or near campus and wish to access campus services, modified operations will be in place.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: Western State patient tests positive; Puyallup shelter closes."