Peninsula pandemic briefing: An uptick in cases in both Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula

Gig Harbor, KP see bump in cases

Three more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Gig Harbor, area bringing the known total to 68, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported Monday. There has been one death.

Key Peninsula cases increased by two, bringing the total to 11, with one death.

St. Anthony Hospital confirms it has been treating coronavirus cases but declines to give numbers.

The total for Pierce County as of Monday was 2,507 confirmed cases, with 87 deaths. Over half of the deaths, 66.7 percent, occurred in a care facility. Ninety-seven percent of the deaths were of people with underlying health conditions.

Slower reopening proposed

In light of a worrisome increase in COVID-19 infections, Pierce County health authorities are proposing that the county hold off on applying to the governor for Phase III status, but instead ask to slightly expand the existing Phase II.

The expanded Phase 2 proposal, if approved, would permit larger outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people for social and recreational purposes. It would not allow recreational activities such as team sports and public swimming pools where respiratory droplets are highly likely to be released.

A modified Phase 2 would limit indoor gatherings to 5 people per week outside the household. Libraries and museums would be permitted with physical distancing and Phase 3 safety plans. All other businesses and religious services would remain under Phase 2 requirements.

Dr. Anthony L-T Chen, the county director of health, was to have brought the proposal to the Board of Health June 1.

“We do not want to rush to open when we continue to see an increase in COVID-19,” Chen said. “Pierce County residents have remained strong and have stuck together so we can move through these phases of re-opening. Proposing an expanded Phase 2 is the right choice for our health and the right choice for our society and economy.”

Wear the mask, already

The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases makes it more important that people cooperate with the governor’s recent order to wear face masks in public, the Tacoma-Pierce County health department says. The order went into effect July 26.

The department recommends that people:

• Wear a face covering when in public and not able to stay 6 feet away from others.
• Stay close to home.
• Interact with a small circle of friends and family.
• Keep gatherings small.
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have participated in any large gatherings.
• Wash hands, cover coughs, and keep up your best hygiene and sanitation

This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 4:54 PM.