Coronavirus updates: Pierce County confirms 13 new cases, 1 death; state nearing 18K cases
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Friday, May 15.
WASHINGTON STATE REPORTS 178 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 9 DEATHS
Updated 4:15 p.m.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 178 new COVID-19 cases and nine additional deaths Friday.
Statewide case totals have reached 17,951, while the state’s death toll is now at 992.
King County continues to be the hardest hit, reporting 7,325 cases and 521 deaths. Snohomish County has reached 2,756 cases and 125 deaths, and Yakima County has reached 2,052 cases and 72 deaths.
Pierce County is reporting 1,766 cases and 66 deaths.
Of the state’s 39 counties, all but Garfield County have reported cases, with Benton (615), Chelan (170), Clark (382), Douglas (124), Franklin (433), Grant (185), Island (176), King (7,325), Kitsap (157), Pierce (1,766), Skagit (423), Snohomish (2,756), Spokane (393), Thurston (122), Walla Walla (105), Whatcom (344) and Yakima (2,052) all reporting more than 100 cases.
Twenty-four counties have reported at least one virus-related death. All but five of those counties have reported multiple deaths, with Benton (55), Clark (22), Franklin (17), Island (10), King (521), Pierce (66), Skagit (14), Snohomish (125), Spokane (30), Whatcom (35) and Yakima (72) all reporting at least 10.
There are 125 cases and one death that have not been assigned to a county.
There have been 273,303 tests performed in Washington, with positive results now at 6.6%.
GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST ANNOUNCES REOPENING
Updated 4 p.m.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, located in southwestern Washington, is reopening many of its developed day-use and trailhead sites to the public, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Beginning Friday, most trailheads and day-use sites, as well as Forest Road 81, 83 and 90, will reopen for public use.
In compliance with the state’s stay-at-home order, several sites, including campgrounds, the Lower Falls recreation area, the Ape Cave Interpretative Site, Forest Road 8303 and Johnston Ridge Observatory will remain closed. State Route 504, also known as Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, will remain gated at milepost No. 45 near Coldwater Lake.
“Closures are necessary to address social distancing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control, and to help reduce pressure on local emergency services,” the statement says. “Ape Cave Interpretive Site and Lower Falls Day Use site will also undergo major construction projects this summer. Remaining closures will be evaluated as the state moves into Phase 2.”
A complete list of which recreation sites are opened and closed can be found on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest’s website.
Campgrounds will remain closed, and will not open for Memorial Day Weekend, the release says.
Those holding future campsite reservations will be notified by Recreation.gov of any changes impacting their reservations, and refunds will be issued for all reservations that must be canceled.
Mount St. Helens climbing permits issued prior closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for Friday or later are valid, and the route will be open.
Permits to climb Mount Adams will be available online beginning in early June.
“We are looking forward to re-opening many previously closed areas on the forest, while prioritizing the health and safety of the public and employees,” acting Gifford Pinchot National Forest supervisor Tom Torres said in the release. “Safety is our top priority as we continue coordinating with local Counties, adjacent forests and landowners through this health crisis.”
Some facilities, such as bathrooms, may be open for public use, but will not be maintained, the release says because employees do not have access to proper personal protective equipment to ensure safe working conditions.
“Members of the public wishing to utilize these facilities are doing so at their own discretion and must take all necessary precautions to ensure for their own personal health and safety,” the release says. “We cannot guarantee a COVID free facility. It is recommended that all visitors prepare to provide for their own sanitation and be as self-contained as possible while recreating.”
PIERCE COUNTY CONFIRMS 13 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 1 DEATH
Updated 2:15 p.m.
Pierce County confirmed 13 new COVID-19 cases Friday, and reported one additional death.
County totals since the pandemic began are at 1,766 cases and 66 deaths.
The death reported Friday was a Puyallup woman in her 90s with underlying health conditions.
There had been 19,765 Pierce County residents tested for the virus as of Wednesday, with 8.2% of the tests conducted yielding positive results. Those numbers do not include negative tests from longterm care facilities, or tests that have not yet been assigned to a county.
About 1,000 residents of the county who have contracted the virus — or more than half — are assumed to have recovered. The county estimates 739 cases are still active.
Daily case totals can change as the county receives new information about cases, finds duplicate data or is assigned cases that were originally attributed to other counties. The health department has released a statement on delays in data posting.
Friday’s geographical totals are listed below with Thursday’s numbers in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 44 (41)
▪ Central Pierce County: 128 (no change)
▪ East Pierce County: 47 (48)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 85 (84)
▪ Frederickson: 59 (no change)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 52 (no change)
▪ Graham: 53 (no change)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 7 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 44 (42)
▪ Lakewood: 184 (183)
▪ Parkland: 94 (no change)
▪ Puyallup: 120 (no change)
▪ South Hill: 98 (no change)
▪ South Pierce County: 38 (37)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 21 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 59 (58)
▪ Tacoma: 567 (565)
▪ University Place: 58 (57)
▪ Unknown: 8 (7)
Daily reports include cases received by 11:59 p.m. the previous day.
STATE RELEASES FURTHER GUIDANCE ON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Updated 1 p.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s office released further guidance on resuming some outdoor recreation activities during Phases 1 and 2 of the state’s reopening plan Thursday evening.
The document clarifies requirements for outdoor public and private tennis facilities, guided ATV, paddle sports and horseback riding, guided fishing, go-cart tracks, ORV/motocross facilities, participant-only motorsports and “all other activities substantially similar in operation and equally able to meet the requirements mandated.”
A full rundown of the safety and health requirements for each activity can be found on the governor’s website.
NINTH COUNTY APPROVED TO MOVE TO PHASE 2
Updated 12:30 p.m.
Whitman County is the ninth county in Washington state approved to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan to reopen the state.
The county’s variance application was approved Friday by state Secretary of Health Jon Wiesman.
Whitman, located in Eastern Washington, borders Idaho and is also home to Washington State University in Pullman.
It joins Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Wahkiakum, Skamania and Stevens counties, which have also been approved to move into Phase 2.
“Businesses in the counties approved to move into Phase 2 must wait to reopen until guidance has been released for their industry on how to keep workers and the public safe,” the state wrote in a release Friday. “They must comply with all health and safety requirements outlined in that guidance to reopen.
“To apply for a variance, counties must have a population of less than 75,000 and no new cases of COVID-19 in the last three weeks. The application process requires support from the local health officer, the local board of health, local hospitals, and the county commission/council.
“Each county must demonstrate they have adequate local hospital bed capacity as well as adequate PPE supplies to keep health care workers safe.”
Applications must also include plans for testing availability and accessibility, staffing case investigations and contact tracing, isolating or quarantining people who can’t or won’t do so at home, providing case management services to those individuals and responding rapidly to outbreaks in crowded settings, the release says.
Variance applications are reviewed by the secretary of health, who can approve, modify or deny the requests. Variance approvals can be revoked if circumstances in the county change.
Kittitas County has also applied for variance and is under review.
The rest of the state is projected to begin Phase 2 on June 1.
STATE OFFICIALS SEEING UPTICK IN ATTEMPTED UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD
Updated 12 p.m.
In response to an increase in attempted fraud on weekly unemployment benefits applications, Washington state officials said Thursday they will hold up payments for up to two days while claims are verified.
Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine told The Associated Press, while there have been no data breaches at the state agency, there have been recent attempts where personal information stolen from other sources is being used to file for benefits.
“Impostor fraud is not new and it is not unique,” LeVine said. “What’s new is the scale, and that is profound.”
Because the state’s weekly benefit can reach up to $790 per week, in addition to the $600 per week in federal relief, its system is “an attractive target for fraudsters,” LeVine said.
When ESD sees an irregularity in an application, it is flagged and the account is put on hold until an investigation can be completed. Claims data can also be cross-matched with a national fraud detection system.
LeVine said ESD has increased staffing on its fraud line to help combat the attempted false claims.
The hold up in payments this week will allow the department to “validate claims as authentic,” she said.
More than 1 million Washington residents have filed for unemployment since the COVID-19 pandemic started causing business closures in March. The state has paid out nearly $2.9 billion in benefits since.
HOSPITAL LEADERS ADVISE AGAINST DELAYING NECESSARY HEALTH CARE
Updated 11 a.m.
Washington state’s 112 hospitals and health systems have launched an educational campaign to show residents how to safely access health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why they shouldn’t delay necessary care.
Many residents have delayed care even when showing symptoms of illness or experiencing injuries, according to Beth Zborowski, the senior vice president for membership engagement and communications at the Washington State Hospital Association.
“We’re seeing the results of those delays,” said Dr. Stuart Freed, chief medical officer at Wenatchee-based Confluence Health. “People are sicker and have more serious injuries when they show up in our emergency departments. …
“And many times, those injuries and illnesses could have been treated in a doctor’s office or a clinic. Unfortunately, those delays have resulted in more significant problems for the patient going forward.”
National and local surveys have suggested people are delaying visiting health care facilities due to concerns about being exposed to COVID-19 or because they believe only COVID-19 patients are being treated.
Despite several steps being taken to ensure safety at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, Dr. Francis Riedo, the medical director of infection control at the facility, said clinic visits have declined dramatically since the virus outbreak began.
Gov. Jay Inslee halted all elective surgeries and dental services on March 19 to ensure front-line health care workers dealing directly with the COVID-19 pandemic had access to sufficient personal protective equipment, but offered further guidance to hospital and health care providers on April 29 about “non-urgent” procedures and surgeries that could move forward, including cancer screenings.
The initial order banning elective surgeries expires Monday.
Zborowski said the hospital association and other health care groups are negotiating with Inslee’s office on how to safely resume elective surgeries and dental services.
“It may still be a phased approach after (Monday),” she said. “We don’t know if it will be back to business as usual. As with everything in COVID-19, it’s a test to see what happens and then re-evaluate.”
CHANGES AT TACOMA RECOVERY AND TRANSFER CENTER BEGIN MONDAY
Updated 9 a.m.
The City of Tacoma’s Solid Waste Management division has announced additional service changes at the Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center.
Changes at the site, located at 3510 S. Mullen St., will begin Monday.
The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily to residential customers within city limits with garbage or yard waste loads only. It will also be open to all city commercial customers with garbage loads only.
All payments are expected to be made by credit card.
“Customers are asked to bring only essential loads, maintain social distancing, and are encouraged to wear face masks whenever possible,” the city said in a release. “Due to the high demand for these services, significant wait times should be expected.”
The site will not accept self-haul garbage or yard waste from outside city limits.
“Residential customers must have an active solid waste residential collection account serviced by the City of Tacoma and be able to prove residency,” the release says.
The Recycle Center and Household Hazardous Waste Facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays to residential customers only.
The Goodwill drop-off station, the Solid Waste lobby and EnviroHouse remain closed until further notice.
Pierce County customers residing outside of Tacoma city limits can visit the LRI Services website for information about accessible transfer stations.
MEADOW PARK GOLF COURSE SET TO REOPEN NEXT WEEK
Updated 8:30 a.m.
Tacoma’s Meadow Park Golf Course is set to reopen May 22, Metro Parks has announced, but with with several changes to enhance safety.
Hours will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily when the course resumes operations, and online reservations and payment will be required to play. No drop-in golf will be allowed.
Golfers can start reserving tee times Tuesday on the course’s website. The phone lines will also be staffed beginning Tuesday.
Meadow Park has implemented several safety measures to keep golfers safe as Washington continues its phased reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Group sizes will be limited to two players from separate households per tee time. Foursomes will be allowed if they are all from the same household.
The course asks golfers to practice social distancing — maintaining 6 feet of distance from staff and other guests — at all times will on the property.
Meadow Park will also limit capacity in the pro shop to four people at a time, clean and sanitize golf carts between uses, and implement a no-touch policy for flagsticks. Flagsticks are not to be removed from the hole on each green, while cups have been adapted so players can safely pick up their golf balls and move to the next hole.
Meadow Park — which offers arguably the most complete practice facility in the county of driving range, chipping and putting greens, since expanding to 30 heated stalls with LED lights that make it accessible at night — will also open its range. Range cards will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday.
Many golf courses in the South Sound reopened on May 5, after Gov. Jay Inslee relaxed restrictions on some outdoor activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meadow Park, which closed along with other Metro Parks properties in March, is the only public golf course in Pierce County apart from American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood that has yet to resume operations.
FIFE EQC OPENS MONDAY, NEW CASINO GRAND OPENING IN JUNE
Updated 8 a.m.
The Puyallup Tribe has announced a reopening date for its Emerald Queen Casino location in Fife as well as a grand opening for its new casino in Tacoma.
The Fife location will begin a “phased reopening” at 10 a.m. Monday, the tribe said in a statement.
“This Council has emphasized health and safety since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis,” the statement says. “We took decisive action to protect our community ... and we have repeatedly said that when we reopen our casino operations, which closed March 16, we will do so safely and responsibly.”
Entrance will be limited to 30% capacity, while the hotel will remain closed during the first phase.
Patrons will have their temperatures checked before entering, and are expected to wear masks and gloves, the statement says. They are also asked to bring their cell phones in case they are placed on a waiting list to enter.
“Our staff will clean the casino continuously, they will limit the availability of food, and they will expect staff and guests alike to maintain social distancing,” the statement says.
The $400 million Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, which was initially anticipated to open in March, now has its grand opening date set for early June.
“That will be truly exciting news, something our membership, customers and community have looked forward to for many years,” the statement says.
TACOMA MCMENAMINS TO REOPEN LODGING FRIDAY
Updated 8 a.m.
McMenamins announced this week it will reopen lodging at its Tacoma Elks Temple location beginning Friday with “limited capacity.”
“Following guidelines set forth by the state and county in response to COVID-19, Elks Temple is not yet open as a place for people to gather, dine or drink,” McMenamins director of marketing Renee Rank Ignacio said in a statement Thursday. “When the hotel opens on Friday, our restaurants will still be closed for dining in but will be offering full room service and takeout service.”
The bottle shop will be open to sell to-go wine, beer and other retail offerings, Ignacio said, though there is no consumption allowed on the premises apart from the hotel rooms.
The Tacoma location, which initially opened in April 2019, has been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order. It resumed takeout options three weeks ago.
STATE REPORTS 261 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 8 DEATHS
Updated 8 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 261 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths Thursday, bringing statewide totals to 17,773 cases and 983 deaths.
King County continues to be the hardest hit with 7,290 cases and 519 deaths, while Snohomish County has 2,739 cases and 122 deaths, and Yakima County has became the third county in the state to reach 2,000 cases, reporting 2,002 total Thursday with 71 deaths.
Pierce County reported 25 new cases and two deaths Thursday to bring its totals to 1,754 cases and 65 deaths.
The state has conducted 267,931 tests since the outbreak began, with 6.6% returning positive results.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 7:59 AM.
