Coronavirus updates: States announce coordination on telehealth; fitness centers cited
Updated at 12:55 p.m.
The Kroger Co. announced the launch of a contactless payments pilot across the QFC division, located in Seattle, Wash., allowing customers to use their mobile device for a more seamless checkout experience.
The pilot includes the acceptance of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, mobile banking apps and contactless chip cards, underpinned by near-field communication (NFC) technology.
“QFC is excited to pilot contactless payments powered by NFC technology, providing our customers with an additional way to pay for their fresh food and household essentials,” said Chris Albi, president of QFC. “The contactless payment solution will help make life easier for many of our customers and provide the freedom of choice among various options, including cash, debit, credit and check.”
Kroger’s technology team recently enabled NFC payments at 61 QFC stores. The NFC technology uses a radio frequency field to transmit data between two devices — a mobile device and PIN pad — eliminating physical contact. Customers can place their mobile device or contactless chip card near the PIN pad and payment data is transmitted from the device or card to the terminal to process the transaction.
Inslee: Distance learning ‘strongly recommended’ in high-risk counties
Updated at 9 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that distance learning is strongly recommended for schools in high-risk counties in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
There were 25 counties in that category as of Tuesday, meaning they had more than 75 cases per 100,000 people over two weeks. Pierce, Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties were among them.
“Schools in these counties are strongly recommended to use distance learning with the option for limited in-person instruction in smaller groups with students with the highest needs, such as students with disabilities,” the governor said at a virtual press conference, joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
Canceling or postponing in-person extracurricular activities in high-risk counties is also recommended, the governor said.
The state Department of Health and Superintendent of Public Instruction came up with the recommendations: “to help local health departments and local school districts decide how or whether to have on-site education in the classroom this fall,” Inslee said.
The guidance offers advice to districts and local health departments — but doesn’t mandate school closures or other measures — based on local levels of community coronavirus transmission.
Washington, Colorado, Nevada and Oregon announce coordination on telehealth
Updated at 9 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee joined Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to announce that their states will be working together on telehealth issues.
The governors issued a statement saying the pandemic has heightened demand for telehealth services and they want to work together to develop best practices and resolve issues related to access, confidentiality, equity, standard of care requirement, stewardship, patient choice and payment/reimbursement.
8 Eastern Washington fitness centers cited for violating Safe Start order
Updated at 9 a.m.
Operators of eight fitness centers in Eastern Washington face fines totaling more than $77,000 for being open in violation of the state’s Safe Start order.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently cited the companies for potentially exposing employees to the coronavirus under Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan to reopen business.
Most of the gyms are Anytime Fitness franchises owned by two separate entities. It’s the second time in a month that one of the facilities, Anytime Fitness Selah, has been cited and fined.
L&I has cited Bradshaw Development Inc. for operating the Selah location, along with Anytime Fitness gyms in Union Gap and Yakima, when inspectors found all three open on July 15.
The three fines total $28,917. That’s on top of the initial citation and fine of $9,639 for the Selah gym violation in June. Bradshaw is appealing that citation.
L&I also issued four citations to Fit City NW LLC for operating Anytime Fitness gyms in Moxee, Wapato, Toppenish and Granger when inspectors found them open on July 14. The citation fines amount to $38,556.
In addition to the Anytime Fitness citations, L&I cited a separate company, Double Down CrossFit Co-CrossFit Reformation, for operating Double Down CrossFit in Yakima on June 24. The employer is appealing the citation and $9,639 fine.
State reports 705 new cases Wednesday
Updated at 9 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 705 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths.
Pierce County reported 56 new cases Wednesday and no new deaths. Pierce County had a total of 119 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are at 60,084 cases and 1,624 deaths, up from 59,379 cases and 1,619 deaths on Tuesday.
Thirty-three people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on Tuesday, July 28. Late March had two days with 88 people admitted, the highest numbers to date during the pandemic.
Washington state has conducted 1,010,191 coronavirus tests. On July 28, 14,840 specimens were collected statewide, with 5.7% testing positive. The average positive test rate for the seven days prior was 5.7%.
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.
King County continues to have the highest numbers in Washington, with 15,865 cases and 659 deaths. Yakima County has the second highest, with 10,142 cases and 210 deaths.
All counties in Washington have cases. Garfield and Wahkiakum have case counts of less than 10.
On Wednesday, Washington had a 788 per 100,000 people case rate. The national rate is 1,449, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Louisiana has the highest rate in the U.S. at 2,671. Hawaii has the lowest at 172.
There had been more than 4.8 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 157,930 deaths from the virus in the United States as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 703,000 people have died from the disease worldwide.
Space Needle reopens to visitors in Seattle after upgrades
Updated at 9 a.m.
Seattle’s Space Needle has reopened to visitors after recently completing $1 million in upgrades intended to provide a safer experience during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Operating and Marketing Officer Karen Olson said the skyline-defining tourist attraction, which closed in March, has focused on air quality, sanitation and touchless procedures, The Seattle Times reported.
The Space Needle has installed ultraviolet lights designed to kill airborne viruses and bacteria, a fresh air circulation system in the elevators and reverse-ATM kiosks that will convert cash into card for a more touch-free experience.
“We really focused in on how to have a safer experience, and not just for guests, but for team members and guests,” Olson said, adding that they also bought 250,000 surgical masks to hand out more than two months before mask mandates were implemented.
There has been no advertising for the reopening, but some people have already started visiting. New limited hours, ticket information and details about safety measures, including social distancing, are available online.
This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 8:59 AM.
