Coronavirus updates: 3 counties move to next phase of Safe Start plan
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Thursday, June 11.
Updated at 2:15 p.m.
Pierce County reported six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and no additional deaths.
The county’s totals are now at 2,082 cases and 82 deaths since March 6, when the county’s first case was reported. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department estimates there are about 341 cases still active.
Daily case and death totals can change as the county receives new information about cases, finds duplicate data or is assigned cases originally attributed to other counties.
There have been 19.6 new cases per 100,000 residents during the past 14 days, the site says.
Pierce County had 177 new cases in the last 14 days, an average of 12.6 new cases each day.
There have been 31,662 tests conducted in the county with positive results at 6.6 percent, according to the state Department of Health. Care facility negative tests are unavailable and about 81,000 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.
Wednesday’s geographical case totals are listed below with previous day’s totals in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 48 (no change)
▪ Central Pierce County: 147 (146)
▪ East Pierce County: 58 (59)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 94 (no change)
▪ Frederickson: 70 (no change)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 55 (no change)
▪ Graham: 70 (no change)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 7 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 52 (51)
▪ Lakewood: 216 (no change)
▪ Parkland: 129 (128)
▪ Puyallup: 148 (no change)
▪ South Hill: 106 (105)
▪ South Pierce County: 39 (no change)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 22 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 66 (no change)
▪ Tacoma: 670 (668)
▪ University Place: 73 (no change)
▪ Unknown: 12 (no change)
Daily reports include cases received by 11:59 p.m. the previous day.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we are reporting coronavirus numbers
The News Tribune reports confirmed coronavirus cases as listed by the Washington Department of Health and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department in their daily updates.
The state total includes all cases submitted by county health departments by 11:59 p.m. the previous day and is updated once a day by 6 p.m. on its website. Its numbers only include the cases the health departments have reported directly to the state. In some cases, county health departments have reported cases publicly but not to the state health department by the daily deadline, leading to different totals on occasion.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department updates its total by 2 p.m. each day on its website, and consists of all new confirmed cases reported by 11:59 p.m. the previous day.
Skamania County moves to Phase 3
Updated at 2:15 p.m.
Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved Skamania County to move into Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan.
A total of three counties are in Phase 1, three counties are in a modified version of Phase 1, 23 counties are in Phase 2 and 10 counties are in Phase 3. Benton and Franklin counties have applied to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2, and their applications are currently under review by the department.
Businesses approved to move into a new phase must comply with all health and safety requirements outlined in the guidance to reopen.
3 additional counties move into next phase
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved three additional counties to move into the next phase of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan.
Chelan and Douglas counties are approved to move into a modified version of Phase 1 and Asotin County is approved to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3.
A total of three counties are in Phase 1, three counties are in a modified version of Phase 1, 24 counties are in Phase 2 and nine counties are in Phase 3. Benton and Franklin counties have applied to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2, and Skamania County has applied to move from Phase 2 to 3. These applications are currently under review by the department.
Businesses approved to move into a new phase must comply with all health and safety requirements outlined in the guidance to reopen.
On May 29, Governor Jay Inslee, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health, established a data-driven approach to reopen Washington and modify social and recreational activities while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19. Washington will move through the phased reopening county-by-county, allowing for flexibility and local control to address COVID-19 activity geographically.
This approach reduces the risk of COVID-19 to Washington’s most vulnerable populations and preserves capacity in our health care system, while safely opening up businesses and resuming gatherings, travel, shopping and recreation. The plan allows counties and the secretary of health to holistically review COVID-19 activity and the ability for the county to respond when determining if a county is ready to move into a new phase.
To apply to move to the next phase, counties must submit an application to the Washington State Department of Health. The application process requires support from the local health officer, the local board of health and the county executive or county commission.
Pierce County Parks offers more ways to play in Phase 2
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
With Pierce County’s move into Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start reopening program, Pierce County Parks will begin permitting small group fitness, sport and outdoor recreational opportunities. Authorized activities must adhere to limitations in the Governor’s guidance and require the submission of a “return to play” health and safety plan.
Allowable recreational opportunities could include individualized recreation and fitness activities, family-based recreation, scheduled small group activities with intermittent starting times, virtual classes and the Little Wheels Racing program. The website will be updated regularly with new offerings and opportunities.
In addition, some park amenities will reopen for permitted use including Spire Rock and select sport playfields within the parks system for youth practices.
As a reminder, in accordance with Pierce County code, a permit is required to reserve rentable spaces for group use. Please contact Pierce County Parks at 253-798-4177 or pcparks@piercecountywa.gov to submit a recreation service proposal or to request a permit for group use at one of our park fields. Permits will only be authorized for activities and plans that align with Phase 2.
Sporting leagues, events and other large organized group activities are still prohibited. Picnic shelters and athletic complexes remain closed.
Pierce County is asking that everyone continue working together and remember to Limit Travel, Limit Stays, Limit Contact. Pierce County Parks will continue to follow safety protocols and update recreational opportunities in accordance with Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start reopening recommendations.
Expanded free COVID-19 testing in south King County
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Public Health – Seattle & King County has expanded free COVID-19 testing resources in south King County, where communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. These three new free testing sites will provide ongoing access to testing in south Seattle and south King County.
The sites will be located at Sea Mar Community Health Centers at South Park, HealthPoint Auburn and at UW Mobile Clinic at Auburn City Adventist Church. This brings the total number of free testing sites in south Seattle and south King County to ten, with 18 total free testing sites overall in King County.
In addition, this Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, free drive-through COVID-19 testing and essential supplies (e.g. diapers, toiletries) will be available in Renton and Federal Way. King County is partnering with local community organizations and Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson’s #IDIDMYPART campaign and Beyoncé’s BeyGood for this launch event.
Public Health – Seattle & King County urges anyone with even mild COVID-19 symptoms, or who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, to contact a healthcare provider or testing site to discuss testing. If you do not have symptoms or have not been in contact with someone with COVID-19, Public Health is not recommending testing at this time.
Most people should access testing through their regular health care provider. However, if you are unable to access testing through your health care provider, please seek testing at one of the free sites. Language interpretation services are available.
Washington families get help to buy food during school closures
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Because schools have been closed due to COVID-19, families in Washington state will soon have food benefits available to them to help buy groceries while children have been home from school.
Called Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT, these food benefits are available to families with children in grades K-12 who are eligible for schools’ free or reduced-price meal programs. The Public Charge rule does not apply to P-EBT benefits and will not impact immigration status.
The Department of Social and Health Services received federal approval to implement P-EBT and is partnering with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to distribute these benefits by early July.
Most families who already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP or Basic Food in Washington state, and whose children already receive free or reduced-price meals do not need to apply.
The P-EBT benefits — a one-time amount up to $399 per eligible child in each household — automatically will be deposited onto existing EBT cards in early July.
Families with children who become eligible for free and reduced-price meals after their school closed may get less than $399 per child. This depends on when a family applied for Basic Food benefits or when they completed a household income application with their school district.
Other families, including those whose children attend a school where meals are free for all students, will need to apply. Families with children who are newly eligible for free or reduced-price school meals must fill out a meal application with their school district before June 30 and before they apply for P-EBT.
P-EBT benefits do not replace any Child Nutrition Program already offered, and families are encouraged to continue participating in grab-n-go meals or emergency food programs at their local schools and community locations, even if they receive P-EBT benefits.
Families with children who are eligible and approved by their school district for free or reduced-price meals and who do not currently get Basic Food benefits, must apply online at washingtonconnection.org for P-EBT before August 31 or the start of the 2020-2021 school year — whichever is later. The website is available in English and Spanish.
Families who prefer to apply by phone, who need an interpreter or who have other questions about P-EBT benefits can call the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday (except observed holidays).
North Cascades National Park Service Complex increases recreational access to more areas
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health authorities, North Cascades National Park Service Complex is increasing recreational access for overnight use (day use reopened during previous phase).
The National Park Service (NPS) 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 park-by-park basis.
Beginning June 12, North Cascades National Park Service Complex will reopen access to:
▪ Campgrounds
▪ Wilderness Information Center (backcountry permits/info)
▪ Backcountry campsites/overnight stays (NOTE: Many trails have not yet been assessed or cleared; downed trees, washouts, and other hazards may be encountered; access to Sourdough Mtn. Trail and Diablo/Ross dams may be restricted through Seattle City Light managed areas)
▪ Hozomeen--accessible only from the United States side by hiking or boating via State Route 20/Ross Lake; the international border gate will remain closed until further notice
▪ Stehekin marina and public docks (all boat ramps reopened during previous phase)
With public health and safety in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
▪ All visitor centers
▪ Group campsites in Goodell, Colonial and Newhalem campgrounds
▪ Cascade River Road - seasonally closed; will reopen after snow is removed and winter road damage has been repaired
“We urge visitors to bring all of their own supplies, including hand sanitizer, face coverings, toilet paper, and food and beverages,” said Superintendent Karen Taylor-Goodrich. “Once you arrive, please park only in designated areas, pack out everything you bring, and if you encounter a crowded trailhead or overlook, seek another location to recreate.”
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 8:50 AM.
