Coronavirus updates: State reaches 58,173 cases, 1,596 deaths
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Monday, August 3.
Updated at 2:30 p.m.
Pierce County on Monday reported 92 new COVID-19 cases and one new death. The death was a man in his 60s from Parkland with underlying health conditions.
County totals are now 5,149 cases and 117 deaths since the first case in the coronavirus pandemic was recorded March 6.
The Tacoma Pierce-County Health Department has reported 1,334 cases in the past 14 days. The 14-day case rate per 100,000 people is 147.9. The average cases per day over the last 14 days is 95.3. There were 2,275 active cases as of Aug. 2.
In a statement Friday, the Tacoma Pierce-County Health Department wrote that 41.4% of the cases reported in the last two weeks are of 20-39 year olds. The statement also said that more businesses are experiencing small numbers of cases.
Daily totals for cases and deaths can change as the county receives new information, finds duplicate data or is assigned cases originally attributed to other counties.
Testing is available at various sites in the county. For more information on other local testing sites, go to www.tpchd.org/covidtest.
Monday’s geographical case totals are listed below with previous day’s totals in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 121 (120)
▪ Central Pierce County: 343 (337)
▪ East Pierce County: 135 (132)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 202 (201)
▪ Frederickson: 196 (192)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 138 (134)
▪ Graham: 160 (158)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 30 (28)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 154 (no change)
▪ Lakewood: 474 (467)
▪ Parkland: 293 (no change)
▪ Puyallup: 324 (321)
▪ South Hill: 272 (263)
▪ South Pierce County: 107 (105)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 55 (54)
▪ Spanaway: 218 (211)
▪ Tacoma: 1,652 (1,626)
▪ University Place: 219 (216)
▪ Unknown: 56 (47)
State reports 632 new cases Sunday
Updated at 9:15 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health on Sunday reported 632 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths.
DOH experienced issues with its reporting system on Sunday that caused interruptions in several functions. It reported cases, deaths and hospitalizations, but is reporting only 437 negative test results from Aug. 1. DOH is working to address the issue.
Pierce County reported 77 new cases on Sunday and no deaths. Pierce County had a total of 116 deaths likely caused by COVID-19 as of Thursday, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Statewide totals from illness caused by the coronavirus are at 58,173 cases and 1,596 deaths, up from 57,541 cases and 1,592 deaths on Saturday.
Thirty-eight people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were admitted to Washington state hospitals on July 25, the most recent date with complete data. Late March had two days with 88 people admitted, the highest numbers to date during the pandemic.
On July 25, the most recent date for which data is complete, 9,073 specimens were collected statewide, with 450 testing positive. The average positive test rate for the seven days prior was 5.6%.
The test numbers reflect only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are given while the virus is presumably still active in the body.
King County continues to have the highest numbers in Washington, with 15,501 cases and 657 deaths. Yakima County has the second-highest numbers, with 10,017 cases and 189 deaths.
All counties in Washington have cases. Garfield and Wahkiakum have case counts of less than 10.
Insurance Commissioner extends order against COVID-19 surprise billing and lab fees
Updated at 9:15 a.m.
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended an emergency order that prevents surprise billing and lab fees for COVID-19 testing.
“We know people are under tremendous stress as we fight this pandemic,” Kreidler said in a press release Wednesday. “We want to make sure they’re not worrying about receiving a surprise medical bill while trying to take care of their own or their loved one’s health.”
He extended the order to Aug. 27.
“Providing safe and flexible access to care is critical now, more than ever,” he said. “Anyone getting testing for coronavirus should not live in fear that they’ll be hit with a surprise medical bill.”
A coronavirus FAQ section of the Insurance Commissioner’s website says:
“You should not get a surprise bill for testing for coronavirus. All health plans are covering testing without coinsurance, copays or deductibles when you see an in-network primary care provider or are tested at an in-network facility. If you are treated at an emergency room, you also should not receive a surprise bill from an out-of-network provider. If you have questions about your coverage, contact your health plan. Contact us if you need additional help or if you believe you have received a surprise bill.”
A document from the state Department of Health about the cost of testing says: “If you are enrolled in a state-regulated health plan, the office visit and the test (including lab fees) for COVID-19 will be free.”
It goes on to clarify: “State-regulated health plans are overseen by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) and include individual health plans, small employer health plans, and some large employer plans. The OIC does not regulate self-funded employer plans, Medicaid, Medicare, or health plans for federal employees, members of the military, or veterans. Nevertheless, some of these plans have also chosen to waive copays and deductibles for COVID-19.”
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District proposes ‘dialed’ approach to reopening schools
Updated at 9:15 a.m.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District introduced a plan to slowly phase students back into classrooms after joining several school districts in adhering to the health department’s recommendation that classes begin the year as online only.
A “dialed approach” was presented to the school board on Thursday evening in a study session.
The plan will start the school year with remote, digital learning and incrementally allow more staff and students back in the schools.
Superintendent Laurie Dent said there are no metrics the decisions will be based on because the district wants to be flexible.
The plan includes six phases:
▪ Stage 1: All students participate in distance learning provided by district staff, and schools are closed to both students and staff
▪ Stage 2: All students participate in distance learning, and staff will have limited and monitored access to school to deliver online instruction
▪ Stage 3: Students in greatest need of additional support participate on-site with in-person instruction or support two or more days a week. All other students continue in online learning.
▪ Stage 4: Students from Stage 3 as well as all K-3 students will be in schools two days a week. All other students will continue in online learning.
▪ Stage 5: K-3 and 4-12 students will be in the classroom two days a week
▪ Stage 6: All students and staff will return to school for five days a week.
Staff told the board the district is currently at stage 2.
There is a chance the district could return to earlier stages if cases in the area surge. Staff also said there isn’t a timeline for each stage.
“We could be in a stage for only a week before we move to the next stage,” district employee Bill Gaines said.
Parents who choose to continue the distance-learning model can transfer into an online program.
The school board will vote on the dialed approach on Aug. 12.
DEMANDS FROM GROUP OF PAC-12 PLAYERS INCLUDE THOSE RELATED COVID-19
Updated at 9:15 a.m.
Washington junior linebacker Joe Tryon and senior wide receiver Ty Jones are among a group of Pac-12 players threatening to opt out of fall camp and game participation unless their demands are met by the conference.
The group, which claims to represent hundreds of players in the conference, outlined its movement in a letter posed on The Players’ Tribune. The demands include fair treatment, safety regulations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue sharing and an end to racial injustice in college athletics.
Both Jones and Tryon are listed by the group as media contacts.
When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group is demanding an option not to play without the risk of losing athletic eligibility or a spot on the roster. The group is also pushing to prohibit and void any agreements that waive a school’s liability as it relates to the pandemic.
Moving forward, the group is demanding “player-approved health and safety standards enforced by a third party selected by players to address COVID-19, as well as serious injury, abuse and death.”
The Pac-12 previously said all athletes who choose not to play this season because of health or safety concerns related to COVID-19 will have their scholarship protected and remaining in good standing with their team. The conference also previously decided to eliminate the non-conference schedule for several fall sports, including football. On Friday, it released its 10-game, conference-only football schedules.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 9:15 AM.
