Pandemic briefing: Peninsula cases still rising. Gig Harbor has 95, Key Peninsula 18
Gig Harbor, KP cases increasing.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have increased to 95 in the Gig Harbor area and 18 on the Key Peninsula, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health department. There have been no new deaths.
The largest number of cases, more than 20, were in the census tract covering North Gig Harbor. There were 15 to 19 in Gig Harbor proper, 10 to 14 on Fox Island, 5 to 9 in the Artondale area, and 5 to 9 on the southern end of the Key Peninsula, including Anderson and McNeil islands.
Countywide, the the totals as of Thursday were 3,485 cases and 101 deaths. The one new death reported Wednesday was of a woman in her 90s from University Place with underlying health conditions.
Pierce County has reported 850 cases in the last 14 days, for an average of 61 a day.
St. Anthony still mum on cases
St. Anthony hospital in Gig Harbor is still declining requests from The Gateway for the number of coronavirus cases being treated. The latest request for information resulted in this statement from Cary Evans, Vice President for Communications and Government Affairs of Chi Franciscan, the hospital’s parent company:
“CHI Franciscan is well-prepared to care for all patients at this time, including those with COVID-19. All of our hospitals have patient capacity and necessary supplies, and are prepared to identify, isolate and treat any potential patient who seeks care in our facilities. Additionally, we have a number of safety protocols in place at all of our facilities, including universal masking, enhanced sanitation, negative airflow rooms and physical distancing protocols to ensure all of our patients and staff remain as safe as possible.”
Gig Harbor distributes checks
The City of Gig Harbor is sending checks this week to 111 businesses who qualified for Small Business Stabilization Grants to help local businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19 statewide shutdowns.
A total of 130 businesses applied, and 111 businesses met the qualifications and were approved. Checks are being distributed this week, with the final total for each business set at $2,774.77.
The list of eligible businesses below met the following criteria: held a Gig Harbor business license prior to March 1, 2020; was a for-profit business physically located in the city of Gig Harbor; had ten or fewer full-time equivalent employees as of March 1, 2020; is not owned or partially owned by employees or public officials associated with the City of Gig Harbor; that suffered a financial loss due to the COVID-19 executive order or proclamation by Governor Jay Inslee.
The total fund was set at $308,0000, financed by a state-funneled grant from the CARES Act passed by Congress in April.
A random sampling of business receiving grants: Anytime Fitness Gig Harbor, Birdnest Gallery and Framing, Clickery Photography, LLC, Dolly Mama Boutique, Finholm’s Grocery & Deli, Gig Harbor Eye Care, Java & Clay Cafe, Maritime Inn, No Dearth of Books, Occasions Coffee and Crepes, Pennywise Tax & Accounting, Shear Madness Salon, Tickled Pink and Yo! G’s Frozen Yogurt.
A complete list is available on the city website under Covid Alerts
County allocates $31 million
Pierce County has allocated $31 million in CARES Act funding for coronavirus relief, more than half of it toward public health response.
More than $9 million will go toward COVID-19 testing and $5.5 million toward case investigation and contact tracing, the county said in a news release on Monday.
The county will also spend $1 million on emergency food networks, $1 million for mortgage assistance and another $1 million for rental assistance. Smaller amounts will go to homeless shelters, senior centers, and domestic violence aid.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 12:00 AM.