Coronavirus updates: Phase 1 counties, including Pierce, can apply to move forward Monday
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Friday, May 29.
STATE REPORTS 307 NEW CASES, 5 DEATHS
Updated 4:30 p.m.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 307 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths Friday.
Statewide totals have reached 21,071 cases and 1,111 deaths, up from 20,764 cases and 1,106 deaths on Thursday.
King County remains the hardest hit with 7,949 cases and 564 deaths, while Snohomish County has 2,945 cases and 147 deaths and Yakima County has 3,369 cases and 94 deaths.
Pierce County reported 11 new cases Friday, bringing its totals to 1,917 cases and 73 deaths.
The state’s least populous county, Garfield, remains the only county without a case. Seven other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
There were 19 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to state hospitals on May 21, the most recent date with complete data. The total number of people who have been hospitalized in the state stood at 3,455 on Friday.
The state has conducted 348,233 tests, with 6.1% coming back positive. The test numbers reflect only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are given to patients while the virus is presumably still active in the body.
PHASE 1 COUNTIES CAN APPLY TO MOVE FORWARD MONDAY
Updated 3:30 p.m.
Beginning Monday, all counties in Washington state can apply to move to the second phase of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, he announced Friday.
That means counties like Pierce could be approved to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 as early as Wednesday if they can meet the new criteria set by the state Department of Health. Pierce County tweeted Friday afternoon it plans to apply Monday.
Inslee’s new proclamation will replace his current stay-at-home order, which expires Sunday. Counties will instead be treated on a case-by-case basis.
Thurston County, for example, will be eligible to apply for Phase 3 after three weeks in Phase 2, which would be on June 17.
Counties will still be required to submit applications to state Secretary of Health John Wiesman to move to each new phase.
As of Friday, 26 of the state’s 39 counties have moved to Phase 2, which allows stores to resume in-store purchases, restaurants to reopen at 50% capacity, and reopenings of other businesses including real estate, hair and nail salons and barbers, among others.
Phase 3 allows restaurants and taverns to reopen at 75% capacity, as well as bar areas in restaurants and taverns to reopen at 25% capacity, libraries and museums to reopen, and movie theaters to open at 50% capacity.
Wiesman’s decisions on counties moving forward in the plan will be be based on new criteria released by the state Friday.
“The Secretary of Health will evaluate county (applications) based on how their data compare to these targets and their ability to respond to situations that may arise in their county, including outbreaks, increased deaths, health system capacity and other factors,” a memo from Inslee’s office says.
The new targets for counties to move forward include:
▪ Fewer than 25 cases per day per 100,000 people over 14 days.
▪ Flat or decreasing hospitalizations for lab-confirmed cases.
▪ Less than 80% of licensed hospital beds occupied by patients and less than 10% of beds occupied by suspected and confirmed cases.
▪ The average number of tests per day during the past week being 50 times the number cases.
▪ Three or fewer outbreaks reported per week for counties with more than 1 million in population, two or fewer for counties with more than 300,000 in population, one for counties from 75,000-300,000 in population and zero for counties with less than 75,000 in population. (An outbreak includes two ore more non-household cases linked by epidemiology within 14 days in a workplace, congregate living or institutional setting.)
Counties can regress in the phased reopening process if there is a significant virus outbreak. Inslee’s office said Wiesman has the authority to “return a county to an earlier phase if the county chooses not to do so on its own, and the Secretary has identified a need to do so.”
“The Secretary must notify a county in writing and provide a rationale for it being moved to an earlier phase,” Inslee’s office said.
Counties still in Phase 1 may also apply for a modified Phase 1 if they don’t meet the targets. This would include the following Phase 2 activities:
▪ Restaurants: No indoor dining allowed, but outdoor dining permitted with seating at 50% capacity.
▪ Gatherings: Only allowed outdoors with five or fewer people from outside the household.
▪ Recreation: Only allowed outdoors with five or fewer people outside of the household.
▪ In-store retail: Allowed for 15% of building occupancy and indoor services limited to 30 minutes.
PIERCE COUNTY REPORTS 11 NEW CASES, NO DEATHS
Updated 3 p.m.
Pierce County reported 11 new COVID-19 cases Friday. No additional deaths were reported.
The county’s totals are now at 1,917 cases and 73 deaths since the virus outbeak began.
Daily case totals can change as the county receives new information about cases, finds duplicate data or is assigned cases originally attributed to other counties.
The county’s data estimates 1,451 of the confirmed cases have recovered, while 466 are still assumed active.
There have been 25,239 tests conducted in the county as of May 27 with positive results at 7.5%, according to the state Department of Health. That total does not include negative tests from long-term care facilities or tests not yet assigned to a county.
Friday’s geographical case totals are listed below with Thursday’s totals in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 48 (47)
▪ Central Pierce County: 140 (no change)
▪ East Pierce County: 53 (no change)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 88 (no change)
▪ Frederickson: 65 (no change)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 53 (no change)
▪ Graham: 55 (no change)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 7 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 48 (no change)
▪ Lakewood: 199 (197)
▪ Parkland: 108 (107)
▪ Puyallup: 138 (no change)
▪ South Hill: 104 (103)
▪ South Pierce County: 37 (no change)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 21 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 65 (no change)
▪ Tacoma: 617 (613)
▪ University Place: 62 (no change)
▪ Unknown: 9 (8)
CAMPING TO REOPEN IN 22 COUNTIES ACROSS WASHINGTON
Updated 1:30 p.m.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources announced in a release Friday that camping sites in 22 counties across the state will begin to reopen Monday.
Camping across the state has been closed since March 23 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Counties reopening for camping are all actively in Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan.
“The public should check state agency websites for the status of individual campgrounds and dispersed camping,” the release says.
A list of campgrounds and marinas reopening at state parks can be found on the department’s website.
Cabins, yurts and other overnight accommodations, as well as group campsites at state parks, will remain closed until further notice, the release says.
“Visitors with reservations for overnight accommodations that are not opened will receive a full refund for their trips scheduled during the closure,” the release says. “Parks will contact affected campers. No action is required by reservation holders.
“Campers are advised to make reservations for camping at a state park. This ensures they will have a camping spot when they reach their destination and reduces interactions with staff.”
A list of WDFW campgrounds open are available on the department’s website.
“Campers and recreational vehicles should be self-contained, as WDFW lands do not offer draining or dumping facilities,” the release says. “Campers are advised to bring their own supplies, including water, soap, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper. As always, pack out what you pack in.”
Most DNR campsites will reopen on a rolling basis, the release says.
“Whether or not a campsite is open depends on the location of the site and any maintenance needed,” the release says. “Most campsites on DNR land are on a first-come, first-serve basis and do not have running water. Visitors should make sure campsites are open before heading out and have multiple backup options if a desired campsite is full. Campers should also be prepared to take care of all their personal hygiene needs. Always practice Leave No Trace principles as garbage services aren’t available. If you pack it in, pack it out.”
Campers are also asked to help prevent wildfires by making sure campfires are attended, and checking the status of burn bans before lighting a campfire.
“ … only use DNR-approved fire rings (circular metal rings with grates) found in many DNR campgrounds,” the release says. “No dispersed camping fires are allowed.”
INSLEE TO PROVIDE UPDATE ON STAY-AT-HOME ORDER
Updated 1 p.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to offer an update on his current stay-at-home order, which is set to expire Sunday, during a press conference beginning at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.
The News Tribune will stream the press conference live on its website through TVW.
Inslee announced the current stay-at-home extension on May 1, though 26 of the state’s counties have been approved to move into the second phase of his four-phase reopening plan since. Each phase is separated by at least three weeks.
Most of the state’s most populated counties — including King, Snohomish and Pierce — remain in Phase 1, and none currently meet requirements to move into Phase 2.
Inslee indicated earlier this week he would have more information about how the state will continue to move forward by Friday.
“In the next few days we’ll have more decisions about June 1 and where we go from here,” he said Thursday.
THURSTON COUNTY RESIDENTS REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC
Updated 1 p.m.
Thurston County residents are now required to wear face coverings in some public settings, according to a new directive from the county’s Acting Health Officer, Dr. Diana Yu.
The directive was implemented Thursday, but the rule will not be enforced by police or sheriff’s deputies.
Yu issued the directive following the state’s approval of Thurston County to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan.
County residents are now required to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths in indoor or outdoor public settings where a 6-foot distance from other individuals not living in the same household cannot be maintained.
These settings include grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, big box stores, pet supply stores, food delivery and public transportation.
The directive also instructs commercial establishments to post signs encouraging individuals to wear face coverings. The county health department plans to make this signage available on its website.
“I’m exercising my authority as Health Officer for Thurston County to require that people wear cloth face coverings in particular circumstances,” Yu said in a statement. “With our approval to begin Phase 2 of Safe Start Recovery, it’s more important than ever that people be cautious, responsible, and considerate of others. We want to continue moving forward as a county. Without extra caution, we risk back-sliding.”
According to county spokesperson Meghan Porter, the directive does not apply to private offices or outdoor recreation such as walking, running, hiking and bicycling.
“COVID-19 does not spread easily with this type of contact,” Porter wrote in an email to The Olympian. “People should respect others they are passing and try to give as much space as safely possible. Close contact is defined as being less than 6 feet away from another person for more than 15 minutes. If a person is engaged in an activity where they may expel a lot of air or droplets and will be in close contact with others, they should wear a face covering.”
Other exceptions to the directive include: children 3 years old or younger; children 4-12 years old, unless supervised by an adult; anyone with a disability that prevents them from wearing or removing a face covering; anyone who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements for communication; anyone advised by a medical, legal or behavioral health professional that wearing a face covering poses a risk to them; and anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
OLYMPIA CHURCH TO HOST POP-UP BLOOD DRIVE
Updated 12 p.m.
The First Methodist Church in Olympia has partnered with Bloodworks Northwest to host a pop-up donor center beginning Tuesday, according to a release.
“As local hospitals prepare to tackle a significant backlog of surgeries, medical treatments, and procedures that require transfusions, patient blood needs have surged to pre-COVID 19 levels,” the release says. “A steady blood supply is necessary in order to ensure a seamless restart to these procedures.
“The First Methodist Church in Olympia is stepping up to fill these growing needs by hosting a Pop-Up Donor Center providing a safe location for area blood donors to give critical donations.”
The church, located at 1224 Legion Way S.E., will be open for donations on June 2, 3, 5, 9, 10 and 12.
All donors must sign up for their one-hour appointments online. No walk-ins, guests, or people younger than 16 will be allowed on site.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, donors are asked to bring a mask or face covering and practice appropriate social distancing.
All blood types are urgently needed, the release says, but Type O is particularly in demand.
“Mounting requests from hospitals are outpacing current collection levels,” Bloodworks Northwest president and CEO Curt Bailey said in the release. “Now more than ever the act of donating blood is a way for people to care for their community. First Methodist Church in Olympia is creating the opportunity for 300 people to give blood. When it comes to a safe and resilient blood supply, let’s be the community that leads the way.”
TACOMA APARTMENT COMPLEX ACCUSED OF HASSLING TENANTS PART OF $345K SETTLEMENT
Updated 11 a.m.
A Tacoma apartment complex sued for allegedly violating the state’s eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic is involved in a nearly $345,000 to settlement to reimburse tenants.
JRK Residential Group, a real estate investment firm and property management company based in Nevada, will pay most of that sum to tenants across the state, including Tacoma’s Boulders at Puget Sound.
The state filed a lawsuit against the company after tenants notified the state Attorney General’s office of its tactics.
A Pierce County Superior Court judge approved the agreement between JRK Residential Group and the state Attorney General’s office on Wednesday, and provided the following summary of the settlement amount:
▪ Full rent forgiveness or refunds of April 2020 rent for 14 tenants at Boulders at Puget Sound who received 14-day Notices to Pay or Vacate, totaling $26,878.
▪ $500 payments to 257 tenants who were behind on April rent at the time that JRK sent the letter, totaling $128,500.
▪ $100 payments to 1,184 JRK tenants who received letters, but were not behind on April rent, totaling $118,400.
▪ Waive or refund fees for tenants who need or choose to move out before their lease is up while the governor’s proclamation is in effect, totaling $20,868.
▪ Send attorneys’ fees to the state, totaling $50,000.
JRK Residential owns at least four apartment complexes in Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish counties, and manages properties in 19 other states.
The Attorney General’s Office said residents at the Trillium Heights Apartments and Silverdale Ridge in Silverdale, and Carroll’s Creek Landing in Marysville, have also complained of harassing eviction notices.
Two Tacoma residents spoke to The News Tribune last month and said they received numerous emails, letters and calls to pay rent.
NATIONAL RETAILER CLOSING STORES IN WASHINGTON AMID PANDEMIC
Updated 11 a.m.
Tuesday Morning, a national retailer which sells home decor products and furniture, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization Wednesday, and plans to close 230 of its 687 stores, including several in Washington.
The first phase of closure begins June 1, and includes 132 stores, according to Business Insider. Locations in Bellevue, Federal Way, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Tacoma and Tukwila will be closed in the first phase. The Bellingham location was not included on the list.
Tuesday Morning CEO Steve Becker said in a release the unexpected store closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic had severe consequences.
“Prior to the pandemic, we were gaining momentum in our merchant organization, growing our vendor base and improving brands, assortment and value for our customers, while investing in our technology and corporate leadership team,” he said in the release. “However, the complete halt of store operations for two months put the company in a financial position that can be effectively addressed only through a reorganization in Chapter 11.”
Tuesday Morning is one of several national retailers to file for bankruptcy during the pandemic, joining J. Crew, JC Penney, Nieman Marcus, Pier 1 Imports and True Religion.
BLACK PASTORS, FAITH LEADERS TO PRAY ON TACOMA CORNERS SATURDAY
Updated 10 a.m.
More than 50 black pastors and faith leaders around Pierce County plan to gather to pray this weekend along Tacoma’s streets to bring attention to how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people of color.
In Pierce County, native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and blacks are suffering from COVID-19 at rates higher than their percentages of the county population, according to data from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Hispanic and black residents account for 11% and 7% of Pierce County’s population, while the health department reports they make up 23% and 11% of confirmed cases.
The 6 Feet in the Street (or 6FITS) event is part of a national movement created by faith leaders in East St. Louis, Illinois. Bishop Lawrence White with the Church of the Living God in Tacoma is leading the local event.
“We will stretch the entire corridor of MLK Way — on every corner of every intersection, we will stand together and we will pray,” White told The News Tribune. “We will be unified.”
White said 54 faith leaders from 54 churches across the county are planning to participate. The event begins at noon Saturday, when the faith leaders will gather at the corners along Martin Luther King Jr. Way between South Fifth Street and South 27th Street to pray for 15 minutes. They will then meet in People’s Park on Hilltop for a rally.
Masks and gloves will be available, White said, and attendees are being encouraged to practice social distancing.
“Anytime that our community can show solidarity in a safe way, that abides by all of the (governor’s) current restrictions, it’s important that we do that,” Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said. “I’m grateful that we have a faith community that believes in showing up for our city.”
INSLEE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR AGRICULTURAL WORKERS
Updated 9 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee released guidelines Thursday outlining additional protections from COVID-19 for agricultural workers.
The directive will improve the state’s health and safety standards for these workers through physical distancing, increased handwashing, training and education, he said. The requirements apply to orchards, fields, dairies, fruit and vegetable-packing warehouses, and employer-provided transportation and housing.
“I’d like to address the over 100,000 people in Washington who are working in the agricultural industry,” he said during a press conference. “We know that your labor is so critical to providing food for all of us and we are particularly thinking of the 1.7 million Washingtonians who have food insecurity today.”
Agricultural workers face “numerous points of risk” for contracting COVID-19, he said, and referred to workers in Yakima Valley, where outbreaks have occurred.
“The striking workers in Yakima, on the lines as we speak, are clear in their calls that more needs to be done,” he said. “We hear that message and that is why we are acting today.
“So today we are announcing additional safety standards for COVID-19 prevention for agricultural workers across the industry. These standards build on the requirements set forth at the beginning of the crisis for all industries, with more specific provisions for the unique needs of this industry.”
The state has designed an emergency rule to reduce the risk of spread for growers who provide temporary housing for their workers, director of the state Department of Labor and Industries Joel Sacks said. One option for growers is to create groups of 15 or fewer workers who will stay together in housing, and when they eat, work, and are transported to the work site, but will not have contact with other groups.
Employers are also required to provide facial coverings for employees who are not working alone. Inslee said the state has distributed 135,000 facial coverings to the industry so far.
Portable handwashing stations must also be placed within 110 yards of employees working outside at all times.
SOME PIERCE COUNTY OFFICIALS PUSHING FOR APPLICATION TO PHASE 2
Updated 8 a.m.
Some Pierce County officials said Thursday the county will apply for Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan as soon as possible.
County Executive Bruce Dammeier, County Council Chairman Doug Richardson and vice chairman Dave Morell called for an emergency meeting of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Board of Health to approve the county’s application via Twitter. Richardson also called for a special meeting of the County Council.
County communications director Libby Catalinich said the elected officials want to hold these meetings “as soon as possible.”
Both the county Board of Health and County Council must express support for the application to move forward.
“The people of Pierce County are ready to responsibly (and) safely move to Phase 2,” Dammeier tweeted Thursday.
Morrell also responded to the county’s tweet, saying steps are being taken to move safely into the second phase — which includes expanded outdoor recreation and social and spiritual gatherings, and allows businesses such as manufacturing, construction, in-home services, retail, real estate, office-based businesses, hail and nail salons, barbers, pet grooming businesses an restaurants (at less than 50% capacity) to resume operations.
Applications require support from the local health officer, local board of health, local hospitals and the county commission or council, and must include plans for testing, case investigations, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine procedures, and outbreak response procedures.
Counties must also “have an average of less than 10 new cases per 100,000 residents over a 14-day period,” according to the state Department of Health.
Pierce County would need fewer than 90 cases during a 14-day period to qualify based on its population, but in the past 14 days has reported 167 new cases — an average of almost 12 per day.
TPCHD responded to the push from officials for a Phase 2 application Thursday on Twitter.
“While we are preparing to be ready, we don’t meet Gov. Inslee’s current requirements,” the tweet said. “We’re hopeful the governor will announce a change (Friday), and if we meet any updated criteria, we will recommend that the county apply.”
ALL NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, STAFF TO BE TESTED, INSLEE SAYS
Updated 8 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday the details of a plan to test all nursing home residents and staff in Washington for COVID-19.
The directive requires nursing homes to offer tests to all residents and test all who consent by June 12. It requires the testing to be completed in assisted living facilities with a memory care unit by June 26.
Positive results must be immediately reported to the state.
Staff members at these facilities are required to be tested unless they can otherwise provide medical justification from a licensed health care provider.
Exceptions could be given to residents or staff who have been tested after April 1.
The order, signed by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, continues the state’s testing in nursing homes. As of Tuesday, the state reported 3,728 cases of COVID-19 (19% of the state’s total) and 667 deaths (62%) have been connected to long-term health care facilities.
Facilities around the state have been screening staff members for symptoms and residents for respiratory problems, and testing those with symptoms, Wiesman said.
Testing moving forward will enable the state to focus on facilities that have not had an outbreak, he said. If the state finds asymptomatic residents, they can be separated from others, so the spread of the virus can be minimized.
“There are asymptomatic infections — that is infection without any symptom and perhaps never developing symptoms,” Wiesman said. “Maybe 25-40% of cases could actually be asymptomatic. We didn’t know that at the beginning of this outbreak. This is a new virus.”
The increased focus on testing in assisted living facilities with memory care units is due to higher rate of infection because those with memory issues “tend to wander and need to be able to move around as part of their daily living,” Wiesman said.
The state is also working on providing repeat testing for other facilities, including adult family homes and assisted living facilities without memory care units, Inslee said.
WASHINGTON REPORTS 358 NEW CASES, 11 DEATHS
Updated 8 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 358 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths Thursday.
Statewide totals have reached 20,764 cases and 1,106 deaths, up from 20,406 cases and 1,095 deaths Wednesday.
As of Thursday, there had been 3,413 total people hospitalized in the state with a confirmed case of the virus.
King County continues to be the hardest hit in the state, reporting 7,923 cases and 147 deaths, while Snohomish County has 2,937 cases and 147 deaths and Yakima County has 3,231 cases and 93 deaths.
Pierce County reported 16 new and one death Thursday, bringing its totals to 1,907 cases and 73 deaths.
There are 53 cases that have not been assigned to a county.
There have been 343,091 cases conducted in the state with 6.1% returning positive results.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 8:06 AM.
