MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Bellevue modeler warns of ‘catastrophic outcomes’ with COVID-19 cases rising

Jul 3, 2020, 8:26 AM | Updated: 9:28 am

COVID, Harborview, hospitals...

Health workers in Harborview's COVID-19 ICU. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

With a “troubling” rise of COVID-19 cases in King County and across Washington state in recent weeks, public health officials are ringing the alarm for everyone to step up precautions heading into the holiday weekend.

Bellevue modelers warn of increasing COVID cases across Washington

This is laid out in the latest update from Bellevue’s Institute for Disease Modeling, which warns that if the state continues along its current path, the consequences could be dire.

“Continuing along this trajectory will lead to catastrophic outcomes for health and economic wellbeing in Washington,” the IDM cautioned, emphasizing the need for wearing masks in public, adhering to social distancing, testing upon exposure to the virus, and more.

King County officials spoke Thursday, calling on residents to rise to the challenge.

“We need to step up our COVID prevention game big time, in every aspect of our lives, in order to avoid going backward,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County public health officer.

Duchin also emphasized the importance of limiting close contacts, avoiding groups, keeping up hand hygiene, following physical distancing rules, and wearing masks. If you feel you must go out, he advised weighing the risk to your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of your community, and know how to protect yourself.

“COVID-19 would love to meet your friends and family this Fourth of July weekend,” he said. “Don’t let it happen.”

What’s allowed as counties reopen in ‘Safe Start’ phases

Statewide, the IDM warns that “not only are cases rising in known hotstops, but transmission is now likely increasing in neighboring areas.” That had Secretary of Health John Wiesman announcing Thursday that he would be pausing all movement into the next phases of reopening for at least the next two weeks.

This means if your county is in Phase 2 — King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, and Snohomish, for example — it’ll remain in Phase 2 until at least mid-July. There are now three counties in Phase 1, two counties in a modified version of Phase 1, 17 in Phase 2, and 17 in Phase 3, according to the state.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

5 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

9 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

10 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

12 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

12 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

14 hours ago

Bellevue modeler warns of ‘catastrophic outcomes’ with COVID-19 cases rising