Coronavirus updates: Pierce County Parks expands recreation opportunities
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Monday, June 22.
Updated at 4:35 p.m.
The Washington State Department of Health on Monday reported 190 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six additional deaths.
Statewide totals have reached 28,870 cases and 1,276 deaths, up from 28,680 cases and 1,270 death on Sunday.
King County continues to be the hardest hit with 9,253 cases and 602 deaths. Yakima County has 6,326 cases and 138 deaths while Snohomish County has 3,249 cases and 164 deaths. Due to a lag in data reporting, Pierce County reported just six new cases and no deaths on Monday, bringing its totals to 2,290 cases and 84 deaths.
Garfield, the state’s least populous county, remains the only county without a reported case. Six other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
There are 36 cases that have not been assigned to a county.
There were 17 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to state hospitals on June 14, the most recent date with complete data. The total number of people who have been hospitalized in the state stood at 4,062 on Sunday.
There have been 477,204 tests conducted in the state with 6.0% 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.
Pierce County reports 6 new cases, citing data reporting lag
Updated at 3:20 p.m.
Pierce County reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday and no additional deaths.
The county’s totals are now at 2,290 cases and 84 deaths since the county’s first case was reported March 6, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
The health department noted in its Monday update that the new case count “is low because of a data reporting lag from the state reporting system that provides us with positive COVID-19 tests.”
Pierce County had 235 new cases in the past 14 days, an average of 16.8 new cases each day. There have been 26.1 new cases per 100,000 residents during the past 14 days, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website says.
Under Washington’s Safe Start Recovery Phase 2 guidelines, the target for counties is 25 or fewer new cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days. Last week, daily new case totals were climbing into the double digits, as high as 33 on June 19.
As of Monday, the county reported an estimated 418 active cases.
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.
There have been 34,740 tests conducted in the county with positive results at 6.6%, according to the state Department of Health.
Testing is available at various sites in the county, including free drive-thru self-administered testing at the Tacoma Dome, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the end of June. Participants must register in advance either the day before or that day: www.krogerhealth.com/covidtesting or call 888-852-2567 and select Option 3.
Tiffany Sanders, corporate affairs manager for QFC, told The News Tribune on Monday that the site, offered by Kroger, has administered about 750 tests so far this month.
“We’d like to increase that number,” she added.
Sea Mar Community Health Centers also is offering free COVID-19 testing in Tacoma.
Drive-thru and walk-up testing testing are available at Sea Mar Tacoma Medical Center, 1112 S. Cushman Ave. Tacoma. Testing hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. You must call in advance 253-593-2144 to schedule an appointment.
For more information on additional local testing sites, go to www.tpchd.org/covidtest.
Monday’s geographical case totals are listed below with Sunday’s totals in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 50 (no change)
▪ Central Pierce County: 159 (no change)
▪ East Pierce County: 60 (no change)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 105 (no change)
▪ Frederickson: 74 (no change)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 60 (no change)
▪ Graham: 71 (no change)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 9 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 60 (no change)
▪ Lakewood: 236 (no change)
▪ Parkland: 132 (no change)
▪ Puyallup: 163 (162)
▪ South Hill: 116 (no change)
▪ South Pierce County: 45 (no change)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 23 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 76 (75)
▪ Tacoma: 744 (742)
▪ University Place: 93 (no change)
▪ Unknown: 14 (13)
AG Ferguson wins refunds for victims of COVID-19 “vaccine” scam
Updated at 3:20 p.m.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that, as a result of his lawsuit, the maker of a so-called COVID-19 “vaccine” will repay his victims and is permanently barred from marketing vaccines without testing and evidence. T
he legally binding agreement comes just over a week after Ferguson filed a lawsuit and nearly two months after he sent Stine a “cease and desist” letter to stop marketing the “vaccine.”
As part of the consent decree, filed today in King County Superior Court, Redmond-area resident Johnny T. Stine and his company, North Coast Biologics, are prohibited from marketing future vaccines without rigorous testing and sound scientific evidence. Stine also will pay $8,500 to the state for the cost of bringing the case, with another $30,000 suspended based on his compliance with the agreement.
The Attorney General’s Office will reach out to individuals who bought the “vaccine” and facilitate refunds. Refunds could total up to $12,000 if all 30 victims can be reached.
“Mr. Stine marketed a fake vaccine when Washingtonians felt particularly vulnerable,” Ferguson said. “That’s not only morally wrong—it’s illegal. This resolution ensures Mr. Stine refunds the individuals he swindled. He will pay an even steeper cost if he ever tries it again.”
Starting in early March and through April 2020, Stine sold and administered the vaccine to about 30 individuals, mostly Washingtonians, for $400 each. Stine began selling the vaccine via his Facebook profile around the time COVID-19 began to peak in the country and Seattle. In social media posts, Stine claimed to have developed a “vaccine” in “half a day” that made him immune to COVID-19 after he tested it on himself.
North Coast Biologics is a self-described “antibody discovery company” based in King County and is founded and directed by Stine. In January 2012, the company failed to file for a business license renewal and was administratively dissolved by the state. However, Stine continues to operate North Coast Biologics and used the company’s Facebook page — now defunct thanks to the attorney general’s actions — to promote his products.
Parks and Recreation Commission adds two free days
Updated at 12:45 p.m.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces two additional free days in 2020, which replace the two free days lost to COVID-19 related closures in April. On free days, visitors don’t need a Discover Pass for day-use visits by vehicle.
The first makeup free day is Sunday, Sept. 13, to celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, a national movement to get every girl scout into a state park.
The second, Saturday, Oct. 10, recognizes World Mental Health Day, which supports State Parks’ participation in the nation-wide ParkRx movement to help people access nature’s health benefits. These days replace the Spring free day, April 11, and Earth Day, April 22.
Though most Washington state parks have reopened for day use and many have reopened for camping, the agency encourages visitors to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by recreating responsibly on free days and every other day.
Visitors can find out which state parks are open here.
Pierce County expands recreation opportunities
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
More options for recreation and park use are being offered by Pierce County Parks while in Phase 2, following Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start reopening recommendations. The addition of options like playground use, park restrooms, sport complex practices, and fitness classes must all still follow current limitations and guidelines to ensure a healthy and safe community.
Playgrounds will reopen with posted guidelines of no more than five children on each structure and supervised parental support to keep six feet apart. Be sure to bring sanitation supplies to comply with safe use guidelines.
Additional park restrooms will be open, however continuous access is not guaranteed. Portable units may still be used at some locations. The Pierce County Parks website will be updated regularly with new offerings and specific services at each location.
Sports complexes may accommodate practices in preparation for game and tournament play which will begin in Phase 3. Teams must register for use and follow Sporting Activities Guidance.
Sprinker Recreation Center will open for scheduled fitness and individual instruction activities on June 22. Hours of operation for June 22-July 5 will be Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sprinker ice operations will be open for pre-registered free style and instructional stick & puck sessions only. Ice Bumper Cars will resume operation on July 10th. Make sure to pre-register for all activities.
The Harold E LeMay Skatepark at Sprinker will be open with the following schedule: June 22 – July 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and July 6 – Labor Day, September 7 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Please note that Sprinker Recreation Center will be hosting a drive-through COVID-19 testing site from June 27-29. During these dates, the following will be closed: outdoor restrooms, playground, skatepark, outdoor playfields, and the parking area.
Pierce County Parks is now accepting registration for virtual camps and programs for persons with disabilities. These online camps and programs will commence July 6. For additional information and registration, visit the Pierce County Parks website.
Heritage Recreation Center soccer fields will open for small group practices only beginning June 22. Please contact Jared.Bucci@piercecountywa.gov to request information about renting these fields. Baseball and softball fields remain closed at this time.
To secure a required permit to reserve rentable spaces for group use, please contact Pierce County Parks at 253-798-4177 or pcparks@piercecountywa.gov. Permits will only be authorized for activities with safety plans and restrictions that follow Phase 2 guidance. Large events and other large organized group activities are still prohibited.
Washington state reaches 28,680 cases Sunday
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health on Sunday reported 455 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths.
Statewide totals have reached 28,680 cases and 1,270 deaths, up from 28,225 cases and 1,265 deaths on Saturday.
King County continues to be the hardest hit with 9,211 cases and 600 deaths. Yakima County has 6,283 cases and 138 deaths while Snohomish County has 3,237 cases and 163 deaths. Pierce County reported 29 new cases and no deaths on Sunday, bringing its totals to2,284 cases and 84 deaths.
Garfield, the state’s least populous county, remains the only county without a reported case. Six other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
There are 30 cases that have not been assigned to a county.
There were 160 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to state hospitals on June 13, the most recent date with complete data. The total number of people who have been hospitalized in the state stood at 4,049 on Sunday.
There have been 474,938 tests conducted in the state with 6.0% 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.
Healthcare most dangerous profession during coronavirus pandemic
Updated at 8:45 a.m.
Health care is the most dangerous occupation to have in the coronavirus pandemic, according to new state statistics.
The not-surprising statistic comes from a new report, released Friday, by the Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP), a program from the Washington state departments of health and labor & industries.
The report covers 7,316 of the then 20,789 cases of COVID-19 as of May 27. There were 27,192 total cases in Washington as of Thursday.
The information came from interviews with people who tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus. Approximately 45 percent of state cases had employment data in the 18-64 years old age range.
The highest number of infections (37 percent) is among workers in health care and social assistance, the report said.
Manufacturing, including food processing facilities, had the second highest number of cases at 9 percent.
Retail trade had 8 percent of the cases followed by accommodation and food services (7 percent), agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting at 6 percent, construction at 6 percent and transportation and warehousing at 5 percent. Various other occupations made up the rest.
The report notes that some occupations place employees at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 but some of those who have been infected could have gotten exposed off the job.
The report noted that healthcare workers might have a higher percentage of cases due to increased vigilance in testing.
This story was originally published June 22, 2020 at 8:48 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: Pierce County Parks expands recreation opportunities."
