Coronavirus updates: DOH highlights importance of face coverings
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Tuesday, June 9.
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson announced the allocation of $2.96 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding to support homeless Americans and individuals at risk of becoming homeless because of hardships such as job loss, wage reduction or illness due to COVID-19.
This funding is in addition to $1 billion of ESG grants announced within a week of President Trump signing the CARES Act. View state and territory funding allocations here.
“Homelessness was a major issue in some cities across our Nation long before this pandemic occurred, and unfortunately the dire living conditions of our most vulnerable Americans left many without a home to isolate in or proper medical and healthcare resources to defend themselves against this invisible enemy,” said Secretary Carson.
“As we continued to monitor the effects of COVID-19 in at-risk communities, the Department and our partners worked quickly to respond to outbreaks and minimize the spread from hotspots to other locations. This increased funding to help provide for our homeless will make a difference now as we combat the coronavirus and inform long-term, innovative solutions for addressing homelessness in the future.”
Congress has provided $4 billion for HUD’s ESG program for local governments to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless, receiving homeless assistance, or are at risk of becoming homeless.
In total, HUD has allocated $3.96 billion in ESG funding to impacted communities in every U.S. state and territory, and the remainder $40 million is being utilized to provide technical assistance to build capacity of grantees in those communities receiving ESG funding.
Health secretary urges protesters to help stop spread
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
During the governor’s media availability on Monday, DOH Secretary John Wiesman urged anyone who has been in a large crowd and wasn’t able to maintain six feet of physical distance to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying home and away from others for 14 days.
Fourteen days is the time it can take to develop symptoms of COVID-19. He also reminded Washingtonians that anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 should seek a test.
You can watch the governor’s and secretary’s remarks on TVW.
Tacoma Mall opens, begins slow recovery process after COVID-19 shutdown
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Tacoma Mall has reopened after months of being shut down duing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Don’t expect everything to be up and running immediately, but do expect signage and one-way directions to help enforce social distancing inside.
The mall’s website announced the reopening Monday, with mall hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
The website included examples of signage and traffic flows inside a Simon mall property, along with safety protocols.
The mall, operated by Simon Property Group, follows Puyallup’s South Hill Mall reopening over the weekend. Both are the result of Pierce County receiving approval from the state to move into Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan on Friday.
The mall shut down in mid-March to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Earlier that month, a Macy’s employee at the mall was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Much like at South Hill Mall, patrons visiting Tacoma Mall won’t see every store open yet, as stores catch up with restocking and bringing back workers as well as getting up to speed on COVID-19 operating procedures and PPE supply for employees.
Visitors are asked to wear facial coverings and to not visit if you are ill or have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Some of the mall’s retailers also are offering curbside pickup, and some of the restaurants are offering delivery. More information on the retail to-go program and restaurant delivery is on the mall’s website: simon.com/mall/tacoma-mall
Other sites such as Gene Juarez Salon & Spa were taking reservations Monday online and via phone for appointments.
It’s recommended to contact individual stores to see what’s open or not before going.
“Simon isn’t able to speak on behalf of its retailers, so it is recommended that shoppers contact stores directly to verify if they are open or not before visiting,” Caroline Dawson, a media representative for the mall, told The News Tribune via email on Monday.
Transmission increasing in eastern Washington, decreasing in western Washington
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
The latest statewide modeling report shows COVID-19 transmission trending downwards in western Washington and upwards in eastern Washington. The report estimates differences between counties by combining modeling estimates of how the disease is spreading with data on reported cases.
The report estimates the effective reproductive number — the measure of how many new infections a single COVID-19 case will produce — for different parts of the state. A reproductive number below one means the number of new cases are declining.
The report is based on data from May 3-12. Findings are specific to that time period and include:
▪ The reproductive number varied in different parts of the state. The report estimates the average reproductive number was below one in western Washington and above one in eastern Washington.
▪ Excluding Yakima County, the estimated reproductive number for eastern Washington was fractionally above one.
▪ The majority of cases were reported in King and Yakima counties.
▪ New case counts were trending downwards in King County and were steadily increasing in Yakima County.
▪ Yakima, Douglas, and Chelan counties had the highest number of cases relative to their population.
County rates will have changed in the most recent data, including data under review for county variance applications.
The geographical differences seen in the report likely have multiple causes, including differences in testing. It’s also likely there are differences in infection rates due to behavioral and socioeconomic factors that affect COVID-19 exposure risk.
Emerald Queen Casino opens with celebration and COVID-19 safety precautions
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
The wait is over.
After years of planning, raising funds, construction, then a temporary shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Emerald Queen Casino reopened Monday to an emotional celebration with songs, dance and plenty of face coverings.
The Puyallup Tribe, which has been developing the $400 million casino for years, launched the Tacoma site with an opening ceremony commemorating those who’d helped bring the project to fruition.
Not long after, it was open for the general public.
“I’m ecstatic. It (the opening) is one of the great things that’s happened to our tribe in a long, long time,” said Puyallup Tribal Council Vice Chairman Bill Sterud. “You know with the coronavirus and all this stuff going on, all of a sudden we have a happy moment. My heart’s soaring right now.”
Original plans called for the casino to open in late March, but that was delayed after the pandemic swept through Washington state, leading the tribe to temporarily shutter casino operations.
To accommodate customers during the pandemic, the casino is limiting occupancy, performing temperature scans upon entry and requiring face masks for both guests and staff, along with frequent sanitization for high-touch areas.
“We’re going the best we can — social distancing, masks, gloves, whatever it takes,” Sterud said. “We’re being very vigilant on how we open this place.”
The site replaces the Tacoma I-5 casino, which was a former bingo hall with three large adjoining tents.
The EQC Fife location remains open, with a free shuttle service offered to the new location. Overflow parking with free shuttle service also will be available at the nearby former EQC I-5 Tacoma location off East 32nd Street.
Looking ahead, a 12-story, 170-room hotel is under construction next to the new casino and is set to be completed this summer.
Department of Health highlights importance of face coverings
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
As counties across Washington state continue their progress on phased reopening, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) urges Washington residents to continue to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“COVID-19 continues to be a very real threat,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “Consistently wearing an appropriate cloth face covering in public is a simple and important way you can protect others.”
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets people expel when they cough, sneeze or speak. Data show that people may spread COVID-19 even when they don’t have symptoms or feel sick. The risk of spreading disease is especially high in situations where a physical distance of six feet cannot be maintained.
“During a pandemic, no single action will stop the spread of the virus,” said State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy. “In addition to consistently using cloth face coverings when they leave home, people must continue to wash their hands often with soap and water, stay home if they feel sick, and stay six feet away from others whenever possible.”
Cloth face coverings worn by the public when not at work do not need to be complicated or expensive. Use a breathable, washable fabric that comfortably and adequately covers your mouth and nose. Save medical masks and respirators for healthcare workers and others in high-risk settings.
As part of Gov. Inslee’s “Safe Start” plan, starting June 8, all employees are required to wear a cloth face covering, mask or respirator depending on their type of work. There are some exceptions, including when working alone in certain settings, when a job has no in-person interaction and for people with a medical condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering inappropriate.
Businesses are encouraged to require customers to wear cloth face coverings, in order to protect employees from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 8:56 AM.
