Gig Harbor has 183 virus cases, Key Peninsula 51; rate of new infections slows in county
After an alarming spike in the middle of the month, the daily rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases has begun to subside. On Tuesday of this week, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported 54 new cases — fewer than usual — but four new deaths.
Health officials are worried about a spike in cases over the Labor Day weekend, as the 20-39 age group continues to have the highest number of new COVID-19 cases — 40.6 percent of the total in the last two weeks.
There have been 643 new cases in the last 14 days, for a daily average of 46 cases. The target rate is 16 cases per day.
Four new deaths were reported Tuesday. They were of a man his 60s and a women in her 70s from Tacoma, a man in his 60s from Spanaway and a man in his 90s from Lakewood.
The Gig Harbor area had a total of 183 confirmed cases as of Tuesday. The Key Peninsula had 51.
There were 38 active cases in the North Gig Harbor/Canterwood area (census tract 072505), 34 cases in the Wollochet area (census tract 072408), 19 cases in the Artondale area (census tract 072406) and 15 cases on Fox Island.
On the Key Peninsula, there were 22 active cases in the Wauna/Purdy area (census tract 072503.)
(Census tract numbers do not add up to the area total because some patients are presumed recovered.)
Governor updates agro-tourism advice
Governor Jay Inslee has eased COVID-19 requirements for agricultural tourism events.
Farms, berry growers, pumpkin patches and others who invite the public are now allowed to host hay rides, animal viewing (though not petting), have children’s play equipment or games, and firepits or bonfires, provided that coronavirus precautions are followed.
Precautions include cloth face coverings and proper physical distancing. Whenever possible, operations should be held outdoors or in sheds or pavilions with no more than two walls. Owners and operators must have a written policy for COVID-19 precautions.
Agritourism is defined as a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism in order to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors and generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner.
Examples of agritourism include Christmas tree farms, u-pick berry farms, corn mazes and pumpkin patches.
The full guidance is available online.at www.governor.wa.gov
Museum auction goes virtual
The Harbor History Museum will host its annual fundraising auction online this year, due to coronavirus precautions, the museum announced.
Auction items include a fishing trip for two to Alaska and a ride on a working tugboat. Proceeds will go to museum activities, including online programming to replace in-person visits, which are now limited.
The auction opens at 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 17tand stays open until after the “live” portion. The Virtual Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19., and the live auction begins at 7 p.m.
Bidders may register at https://harborhistorymuseum.ejoinme.org/HistoryRocks2020. Registered visitors will get a sneak peek at the growing list of auction items.
This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 12:00 AM.