Coronavirus updates: New directive from Washington governor, closures and hospital screenings
5:30 p.m.
Seven new presumed-positive Tacoma-area cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, including two Tacoma youths.
This comes after 7 being reported as of Monday, including two cases reported from Joint Base Lewis-McChord that tested positive, a service member and spouse. The two are in quarantine off-base, the Washington military base confirmed Tuesday.
The total for Pierce County stands at 14, according to both the state and county tracking sites.
Tuesday evening, the city of Tacoma announced it was closing Beacon and Lighthouse activity centers for senior activities “due to the increased health risk from COVID-19 to people over the age of 60.”
“The City will reevaluate the closure by March 31 to determine if the centers can reopen in coordination with the social distancing and other recommendations from Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.”
However, it noted, “The Young Adult Overnight Shelter will continue to operate nightly at Beacon Activity Center.”
Pierce County’s first COVID-19 case was reported Friday. The state on Monday reported 24 deaths and 267 cases across nine counties: Clark, Grant, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit and Snohomish.
Of that total, King County reported 190 cases on Tuesday, Snohomish reported 54.
Whatcom County on Tuesday had its first confirmed case of COVID-19.
Governor issues new restrictions for care centers
11:15 a.m.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced new measures on Tuesday to protect nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state.
According to the governor’s office, these include:
▪ Visitors must be adults and the visit must take place in the resident’s room. This does not apply to end-of-life situations.
▪ All visitors undergo COVID-19 screening and follow reasonable precautionary measures, such as wearing personal protective equipment, social distancing, or visiting in designated locations.
▪ All visitors must sign into a visitor’s log, which must be retained for 30 days.
▪ Employees or volunteers are now screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift.
▪ Residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities who test positive for COVID-19 must be isolated from others on site.
▪ Owners, operators, staff and volunteers are prohibited from disclosing protected and confidential health information, except as otherwise provided by law or with the resident’s consent.
The new statewide rules are in effect until midnight April 9.
Milgard Work Opportunity Center closed temporarily
10:58 a.m.
In an emaled announcement on Tuesday, Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region announced it was temporarily shutting down its Milgard Work Opportunity Center, 714 S 27th St. in Tacoma, for two weeks..
“We have had no reports of COVID-19 cases among our employees or at any of our facilities,” wrote Kelly Blucher, manager of community engagement and outreach. “However, out of an abundance of caution and care for the general public, we are temporarily suspending our vocational school classes, internal and external events, and all community member access to the Milgard Work Opportunity Center facility, effective Tuesday, March 10, for two weeks.
“We will reassess the situation prior to Monday, March 23. We will post updates on our website at goodwillwa.org.”
The center advises those seeking resources related to the center’s services to call 2-1-1, the help line for United Way of Pierce County.
According to guidance from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department’s blog it notes for employers and businesses: “We encourage agencies that serve the elderly, immune compromised or pregnant woman to consider postponing special events and meetings. Now is the time to explore telework options and other flexible work situations to help those who are most vulnerable protect their health.”
Special Olympics Washington cancels training, events
10:38 a.m.
The Special Olympics in Washington state has suspended all activities until March 31 to protect its athletes and to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the organization announced on Tuesday, March 10.
The organization has stopped all training and practices, competition, league play and district events, as well as any other events that involve its athletes.
“No one who lives in a county where there are known cases should travel to another county or hold any Special Olympics activities,” the organization stated.
“No one who lives in a county with no known cases should travel to an affected county,” Special Olympics Washington added.
— Kie Relyea, The Bellingham Herald
MultiCare implements visitor screening at Puget Sound area hospitals
9:17 a.m.
Tacoma-based MultiCare Health System on Monday announced new restrictions on visitors to its hospitals starting Tuesday (March 10).
These measures include limited entry points to control flow of visitors. Visitors will be questioned before entry with the following questions:
▪ Do you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or symptoms of a common cold or flu?
▪ Have you traveled to China, Japan, South Korea, Iran or Italy within the past 14 days?
▪ Have you had contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19?
If the answer is “yes” to any of the questions, the visitor will not be allowed to enter and recommended to follow up with their primary care provider or seek consultation via online virtual care.
Other visitor restrictions:
▪ No children under 14 years of age.
▪ Only one caregiver or support person will be allowed with each patient (or two for patients under 18).
▪ All waiting rooms, including emergency and surgical waiting rooms, will be limited to one caregiver or support person per patient (or two for patients under 18).
Additional restrictions will be in place for Birth Centers and NICUs.
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 11:27 AM.
