DAILY BULLETIN
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Contact:
Joint Information Center
253-512-7100
wajic@mil.wa.gov
Recap of Today’s COVID-19 News and Updates
Statewide Response Updates
Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported 866 new cases in the past day for a total of 60,917 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on August 5. There have been 1,653 COVID-19 deaths in Washington.
Note for August 6, 2020: DOH is continuing to experience issues with its reporting system today. The agency is able to report cases, deaths and hospitalizations but have not reported new negative test results since 8/1. DOH is working hard to address the issue and we will post new information as soon as it is available.
For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.
Safe Start for Long-Term Care announced today. Gov. Jay Inslee and officials from the state Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services announced a phased plan for long-term care facilities (LTCF) to safely allow visitors, provide trips for residents outside the facility, group activities, and more. It goes into effect August 12.
As with schools, allowable activities at LTCFs depends on sustained prevention of COVID-19 transmission in the community.
LTCF status starts with which Safe Start phase its county is in, and also takes additional factors into account. Those additional factors include local virus activity, facility access to testing and personal protective equipment, capacity at local hospitals, and virus activity within the facility. Before moving into a new phase, a facility or agency must go 28 days without a resident/client or staff member testing positive for COVID-19 and have a minimum 14-day supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on hand.
Information about the Safe Start for Long-Term Care plan is available on the FamHelp page of DSHS’s website. You can watch the press conference on TVW.
100,000,000. That’s how many pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be distributed by the end of this week by the state’s emergency operations center and Department of Enterprise Services. Equipment such as respirators, gloves, gowns, surgical masks and more helps hospitals, first responders and others working on the front lines to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPE distribution information is posted weekly at the bottom of the state’s risk assessment dashboard.
Resources
Washington 211 COVID-19 call center is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.
Washington Listens helps people manage stress and anxiety they may be experiencing because of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org.
Want to help? Join the Washington Mask Challenge. The Lt. Governor’s office has partnered with the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and Serve Washington to organize a statewide homemade mask-making initiative to encourage the general public to make, wear, and donate cloth masks. Visit www.wamaskchallenge.org for information.
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