Coronavirus updates: Inslee extends proclamation for high-risk workers; free test options
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Wednesday, June 10.
Updated at 9:40 p.m.
The Tacoma Little Theatre, which is currently closed when it customarily would be holding summer camps, is shifting to a virtual series of classes.
Starting June 22, the Theatre will host several weeks of classes for students ranging from first grade to 12th grade.
Managing artistic director Chris Serface discussed why the move was made.
“It seems the smart thing, the safe thing to move forward with at this time,” Serface said.
Schedules are posted on the Tacoma Little Theatre website with more to be added in the future.
“We have programmed the first four weeks. It’s an eight-week camp that we normally do,” Serface said. “They’re weeklong camps with five different classes each day.”
Serface says the programs are meant to be “à la carte,” where students can pick and choose what classes they want to take. The teachers are artists who will be leading the classes from their homes over Zoom followed up by some performances at the end of the class.
“We’re doing two shows called ‘Boxes’ and ‘The Rainbow Fish,’” Serface said. “Both of those will have performances the Friday night of that week instead of at the end where parents and family can dial into YouTube and watch it on YouTube.”
Washington state reports 313 new cases on Tuesday
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health on Tuesday reported 313 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths.
Pierce County reported 12 new cases and two new deaths Tuesday. Pierce County had a total of 82 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Tuesday.
Statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are at 24,354 cases and 1,176 deaths, up from 24,041 cases and 1,161 deaths on Monday.
Twenty-one people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on June 1, the most recent date with complete data. March 23 and 30 both saw 89 admittances, the highest numbers to date during the pandemic.
The total number of people who have been hospitalized in Washington state with a confirmed case of COVID-19 stood at 3,747 on Tuesday.
Washington state has conducted 415,054 coronavirus tests, with 5.9 percent 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.
There have been more than 1.9 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 111,751 deaths from the virus in the United States as of Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 408,000 people have died from the disease worldwide.
King County continues to have the highest numbers in Washington, with 8,529 cases and 580 deaths. Snohomish County has the second highest number of deaths at 155. Yakima County has the second highest number of cases at 4,834.
Washington’s least populous county, Garfield, remains the only one without a case. Six other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
QFC, Fred Meyer continue to offer free testing
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
QFC and Fred Meyer are still offering free COVID-19 testing at the Tacoma Dome on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Online registration allows anyone with symptoms or asymptomatic people who have recently been in large crowds to schedule a test. It’s a self-administered nasal swab completed in your car. Results are available within 48 hours. There is no cost and no insurance needed.
Visit www.krogerhealth.com/covidtesting to get tested now.
Inslee issues additional COVID-19 related guidance
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee today new guidance for domestic services in Phase 2. Inslee also issued expanded and updated guidance for certain recreational activities.
The guidance acknowledges that domestic workers, including nannies, house cleaners, cooks and household managers are less able to access sick leave or unemployment benefits. Employers are encouraged to be aware of the limitations their workers may have in accessing worker protections.
Domestic services requirements for Phase 2 are available here.
Inslee extends proclamation protecting high-risk workers
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of a proclamation giving high-risk workers the right to protect themselves from COVID-19 without jeopardizing their employment status or loss of income.
The proclamation provides older workers and those with underlying health conditions a series of rights and protections, including:
▪ The choice of an alternative work assignment, including telework, alternative or remote work locations if feasible, and social distancing measures.
▪ The ability to use any accrued leave or unemployment benefits if an alternative work assignment is not feasible and the employee is unable to safely work. Employers must maintain health insurance benefits while high risk employees are off the job.
▪ Employers are prohibited from permanently replacing high-risk employees.
High-risk individuals are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and specifically include:
▪ 65 years of age or older; and
▪ People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled.
The proclamation was extended through August 1.
Port Commission offers new financial relief for airport dining and retail tenants
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Port of Seattle Commissioners approved extensions of leases for current airport, dining, and retail (ADR) tenants by up to three years today. The lease extensions give current tenants more time to recover financially from the economic crisis brought on by the global pandemic.
The lease extensions build on prior actions by the Port to stabilize local businesses and workers, while continuing to provide essential trade and travel services. The Port of Seattle is uniquely positioned to be one of the leading public agencies to help drive the recovery efforts.
“The Port of Seattle Commission continues to act during this crisis, while preparing our resources for the return of our economy, and will continue to focus our efforts on protecting our workers and tenants from further hardship,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck.
“Moving forward, we are also adding more funds to several jobs and economic development programs to help those most in need throughout our region and state.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 8:50 AM.
