Coronavirus updates: State reaches 24,041 cases on Monday; more CARES funding allocated
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Monday, June 8.
Updated at 5:55 p.m.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 312 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths Monday.
Statewide totals have reached 24,041 cases and 1,161 deaths, up from 23,729 cases and 1,159 deaths Sunday.
King County remains the hardest hit with 8,496 cases and 579 deaths, while Yakima County has 4,665 cases and 101 deaths and Snohomish County has 3,039 cases and 153 deaths.
Pierce County reported nine new cases Monday, bringing its totals to 2,059 cases and 80 deaths.
Seventeen of the state’s 39 counties have reported more than 100 cases, and 11 counties have reported at least 10 virus-related deaths.
Garfield, the state’s least populous county, remains the only county without a reported case. Seven other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
There are 29 cases that have not been assigned to a county.
There were 13 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to state hospitals on May 31, the most recent date with complete data. The total number of people who have been hospitalized in the state stood at 3,699 on Monday.
There have been 410,290 tests conducted in the state with 5.9% 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.
Another round of CARES Act funding allocated by Pierce County
Updated at 2:50 p.m.
Another round of federal CARES Act funding has been allocated by Pierce County. As a result, nearly one-third of the $158 million total CARES funding has been allocated to date.
This week’s funding decisions include $5 million to expand public health testing and contact notification as the County moves to Phase 2 of the governor’s Safe Start order.
“As we begin to re-open businesses across the County, we want to make sure we have the public health resources needed to keep our community safe,” said County Executive Bruce Dammeier. “Stepping up testing and contact notification is even more critical as residents return to restaurants, salons and houses of worship.
Also included in this week’s allocations is $5 million in grants to help businesses adapt to requirements and protocols required for compliance with Phase 2 operations. This allocation supports Council Ordinance No. 2020-63, which is scheduled for action on June 9.
“Moving to Phase 2 brings both hope and challenges to our businesses,” said Councilmember Dave Morell. “The County Council values and is committed to helping our businesses. This grant program will help with reimbursement money to offset the costs related to compliance needed to reopen their business.”
Pierce County reports 9 cases
Updated at 2:50 p.m.
Pierce County reported 9 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday and no additional deaths.
The county’s totals are now at 2,059 cases and 80 deaths since the outbreak began. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department estimates there are about 357 cases still active.
The health department’s website says it has stopped reporting deaths of COVID-19 patients whose cause of death was not attributed to the disease.
There have been 20.8 new cases per 100,000 residents during the past 14 days, the site says.
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.
Pierce County had 188 new cases in the last 14 days, an average of 13.4 new cases each day.
There have been 30,991 tests conducted in the county with positive results at 6.6%, according to the state Department of Health. Care facility negative tests are unavailable and about 79,000 tests aren’t yet assigned to a county, which means the positive test rate is likely lower.
Testing is available at various sites in the county. For more information, go to tpchd.org/healthy-people/diseases/covid-19/testing-information.
Monday’s geographical case totals are listed below with Sunday’s totals in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 48 (no change)
▪ Central Pierce County: 146 (no change)
▪ East Pierce County: 59 (58)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 94 (93)
▪ Frederickson: 69 (68)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 55 (no change)
▪ Graham: 69 (67)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 7 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 50 (no change)
▪ Lakewood: 212 (211)
▪ Parkland: 126 (124)
▪ Puyallup: 148 (146)
▪ South Hill: 105 (no change)
▪ South Pierce County: 39 (no change)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 21 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 66 (no change)
▪ Tacoma: 662 (658)
▪ University Place: 71 (69)
▪ Unknown: 12 (11)
Daily reports include cases received by 11:59 p.m. the previous day.
Bureau of Land Management opens sites to overnight camping
Updated at 12:55 p.m.
With the lifting of public health and safety restrictions enacted by Washington State officials, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced that the Spokane District is opening certain developed sites in Washington to overnight camping.
The BLM is working with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a case-by-case basis.
This week, the following sites will begin to reopen access to overnight camping: Blind Island, Coffeepot Lake, Lakeview Ranch, Pacific Lake, Patos Island, Posey Island, Rock Creek/Escure Ranch, Twin Lakes and Yakima River Canyon (Umtanum, Big Pines, Lmuma, and Roza).
Be sure to call (509) 536-1200 or (509) 665-2100 to confirm the site you’re interested in is allowing camping. The public should still follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, practice social distancing, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities while recreating.
State reports 287 new cases on Sunday
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health on Sunday reported 287 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six deaths.
Statewide totals have reached 23,729 cases and 1,159 deaths, up from 23,442 cases and 1,153 deaths on Saturday.
King County continues to be the hardest hit with 8,457 cases and 578 deaths. Yakima County has 4,509 cases and 100 deaths while Snohomish County has 3,033 cases and 152 deaths. Pierce County reported 14 new cases and no deaths on Sunday, bringing its totals to 2,050 cases and 80 deaths.
Garfield, the state’s least populous county, remains the only county without a reported case. Seven other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
There are 32 cases that have not been assigned to a county.
There were 13 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to state hospitals on May 30, the most recent date with complete data. The total number of people who have been hospitalized in the state stood at 3,669 on Sunday.
There have been 405,056 tests conducted in the state with 5.9% 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.
State sued for delaying benefits during fraud inquiry
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Attorneys for two laid-off workers are suing Washington state for delays in paying benefits while it reins in rampant unemployment fraud.
Northwest News Network reports that the nonprofit Unemployment Law Project, which helps people receive jobless benefits and appeal denied claims, filed the case directly with the state Supreme Court on Friday.
It seeks an order forcing the Employment Security Department to issue all payments promptly, saying the state does not have the authority to halt payment of legitimate claims, even to stop fraudulent ones.
Authorities say Washington paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims as it rushed to help people hurt by the economic fallout from the pandemic. They have blamed international criminal organizations using identities stolen in previous large-scale data breaches.
The state said this week it has recovered about half of the $550 million to $650 million that was fraudulently paid out. Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine says she knows residents are hurting financially and that her agency is doing its best to get them help as soon as possible.
“People understand the COVID virus has presented a major crisis and many systems are overloaded,” said John Tirpak, executive director of the Unemployment Law Project. “People have been patient and know things are not going to happen instantly. But when you have been attempting to claim unemployment since March and it’s already June and there has been no progress, it’s very discouraging.”
Many claimants began receiving unemployment benefits only to have the payments suspended as the state sought to limit fraud.
Puyallup startup throws virtual 5K for local businesses struggling in COVID pandemic
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
A new nonprofit for Puyallup businesses is hosting a virtual 5K to support local entrepreneurs in a pursuit to keep small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.
“We are Puyallup” started in mid-March with a handful of Puyallup business owners, a $5,000 check and a hope to bring the community together in a time when businesses are struggling.
“Not everyone can buy hundreds of $100 gift cards, but if we have thousands of people doing $2 or $4, buying a sandwich or a soda pop, that’s a huge difference,” co-creator Colt Fairley with Washington’s Real Estate Team said in a Zoom call kicking off the nonprofit.
The organization has been promoting downtown businesses through video exclusives. Any business is welcome to join the nonprofit with no membership fees. It also has been providing owners with plywood to board up windows, signage, free websites and covered labor cost.
“The best thing to do when you are feeling helpless is to give back,” Fairley said.
Now that Pierce County has moved into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phased plan to reopen society, their primary goal is to help businesses get what they need to reopen and bring in customers.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 8:47 AM.
