COVID-19 updates: Congress seals agreement on COVID relief, government funding
Dec 14, 2020, 5:26 AM | Updated: Dec 20, 2020, 4:23 pm
The state Department of Health says there have been 226,000 coronavirus cases in Washington state, and 3,104 people have died from the virus statewide. Check below for more updates.
Confirmed coronavirus cases across Washington state
Sunday, Dec. 20
4:17pm – Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.
The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction. Read more from AP.
1:42pm – An expert committee put people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters, teachers and grocery store workers next in line for COVID-19 shots as a second vaccine began rolling out Sunday to hospitals, a desperately needed boost as the nation works to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.
The developments occurred as the nation seeks to ramp up a vaccination program that only began in the last week and so far has given initial shots to about 556,000 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more from AP.
1:38pm – The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup as approved the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Inslee announced on Sunday. The approval comes just two days after the FDA and CDC granted their authorization of the vaccine. Read more.
7:40am – Initial shipments of the second COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the U.S. left a distribution center Sunday, a desperately needed boost as the nation works to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.
The trucks left the factory in the Memphis area with the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health. The much-needed shots are expected to be given starting Monday, just three days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized their emergency rollout. Read more from AP.
Saturday, Dec. 19
4:31pm – Health officials say there have been 222,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,104 deaths since the outbreak started. The number of deaths are not updated on the weekends. The state says 13,391 people have been hospitalized and 3,503,577 have been tested.
2:53pm – The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines across the United States apologized on Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution.
“I failed. I’m adjusting. I am fixing and we will move forward from there,” Gen. Gustave Perna told reporters in a telephone briefing. Read more from AP.
10:58am – Nearly 17,000 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections as of Friday and a state model that uses current data to forecast future trends shows the number could reach an unfathomable 75,000 by mid-January.
The United States as a whole added a record 249,709 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. An additional 2,814 people died nationwide, pushing the death toll to more than 313,000. Read more from AP.
7:36am – The first doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine were administered in Snohomish County on Friday morning.
The Everett Herald reports Dr. George Diaz, a section chief for infectious diseases at Providence Regional Medical Center, was among the first in line to get a shot. He treated the country’s first reported COVID patient almost a year ago at the Everett hospital.
The Herald reports vaccinations also began in Island County on Thursday morning, with health care workers at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center the first to get the shot.
Friday, Dec. 18
6:05pm – Health officials say there have been 212,283 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,104 deaths. The state says there have been 13,291 hospitalization, and 3,478,628 people tested since the outbreak began.
4:51pm – The U.S. added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday, boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that the nation is regularly recording more than 3,000 deaths a day. Much-needed doses are set to arrive Monday after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health. Read more from AP.
The region’s Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will vet the Moderna vaccine, just as it did with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Washington state expects to see 128,000 Moderna vaccine doses early next week.
2:39pm – As of late Wednesday night, a total of 1,159 high-risk health care workers in Washington state had received doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.
1:48pm – Woodinville is hosting a Christmas light car cruise Sunday night to celebrate the season while social distancing. Organizer Rich McKee told KIRO Radio that around 50 decorated vehicles are expected to take part in the holiday parade. The Christmas Light Cruise will leave the Columbia Winery parking lot at 6 p.m.
All participants are asked to wear masks. They’ll also practice social distancing when the cruise ends at the Woodinville AMC theater parking lot.
12:37pm – The U.S. stood on the verge of adding a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday as the outbreak descended deeper into its most lethal phase yet, with the nation regularly recording over 3,000 deaths per day. The Food and Drug Administration was evaluating a shot developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health and was expected to give it the green light soon, clearing the way for its use to begin as early as Monday. Read more from the AP.
11:21am – As COVID-19 vaccine distribution ramps up, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is providing guidance as to whether or not your employer can require you to get a COVID shot. Officials say employers are required and entitled to provide a safe work space.
There is a bill in Olympia now to stop employers from requiring a vaccine in our state, which would make the vaccine a choice. KIRO Radio will follow the bill in the state legislature.
10:15am – The city of Burien launched an online restaurant directory that makes it easy to support local restaurants. You can search through a variety of categories based on type of food, location, or pick-up and delivery options. “Discover Burien” also has a virtual shopping directory that links to Burien stores offering online shopping during the holiday season.
9:48am – The Washington State Bowling Proprietors’ Association has offered free use of their bowling facilities for additional coronavirus vaccine sites. Since most bowling centers are big — and are closed right now due to the pandemic restrictions — there’s plenty of room for social distancing while people wait for their shots. Bowling alley owners are also offering to help store vaccine supplies.
“Our industry wants to help,” said Chris Nash, president of the WSBPA and owner of Zeppoz in Pullman, Wash. “Our bowling centers are not being used during the shutdown and are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. … Bowling centers are already community hubs and social centers for thousands across the state and can provide a safe space for the [Governor’s COVID] Task Force and Departments of Health to roll out additional inoculation sites.”
8:34am – Critical Care providers at Swedish Medical Center say they were not included in the first round of invitations to get COVID vaccines — despite the fact that they work closely with coronavirus patients every day. Read more.
5:50am – Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe. In remarks after his shot, Pence called the speed with which the vaccine was developed “a medical miracle.”
“The American people can be confident: we have one and, perhaps within hours, two safe vaccines,” Pence said, referring to expected FDA approval for Moderna’s vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine was the first to be approved. Read more from the AP.
Thursday, Dec. 17
5:59pm – Health care officials say there are 209,344 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,117 deaths. The state reports there have been 2,765,404 molecular tests done, and 13,235 people have been hospitalized.
4:38pm – Gov. Inslee said in a Thursday news conference dedicated to his 2021 budget proposal that he’s frustrated by the news that Washington state’s vaccine allocation will be cut by 40% next week.
“We heard Pfizer today state that they have the vials in the warehouse ready to ship,” Inslee said. “They’re just waiting for orders from the federal government. That’s really good news.”
Inslee said that means there’s no systemic problem with manufacturing the vaccine, and he’s hoping this is just a communication issue that will be resolved.
2:32pm – A government advisory panel endorsed a second COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, paving the way for the shot to be added to the U.S. vaccination campaign.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the recommendation for the vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. The FDA advisers, in a 20-0 vote, agreed the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for those 18 years old and up. Read more from the AP.
11:02am – Gov. Inslee tweeted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Washington state’s vaccine allocation will be cut by 40%, and that all states are seeing similar cuts. The governor says there was no explanation given for the reduction.
Our state remains committed to getting all doses we are allocated out to healthcare providers and into the arms of Washingtonians.
While we push for answers, that commitment will not change.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) December 17, 2020
8:17am – The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000, the highest weekly total since September, as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy’s recovery from its springtime collapse.
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of applications increased from 862,000 the previous week. It showed that nine months after the virus paralyzed the economy, many employers are still slashing jobs as the pandemic forces more business restrictions and leads many consumers to stay home. Read more from AP.
7:11am – The Washington Education Association, which is the largest representative of public school employees in the state, released a statement in response to Gov. Inslee’s updated guidelines on a phased return to in-person learning.
WEA President Larry Delaney says the trust needed for a return to school “would have been easier to build” if educators had more communication with the governor about these pending changes before they were announced. Read more.
5:57am – Washington’s jobless rate was 6% last month, and the state’s economy added just 100 jobs. According to numbers released Wednesday by the Employment Security Department, November’s rate was the same as October’s. Read more from the AP.
Wednesday, Dec. 16
11:06pm – Health officials say there have been 206,594 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,042 deaths. The DOH says 3,432,892 people have been tested and 13,074 people have been hospitalized.
4:41pm – Tens of thousands of Washingtonians are still dealing with unemployment issues in Washington state, and continue to be frustrated with how it’s being handled. Rep. Bruce Chandler (R-Granger) is the assistant ranking member of the state House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee, which oversees the Employment Security Department, and joined the Jason Rantz Show to discuss. Read more.
3:22pm – Gov. Jay Inslee issued new recommendations Wednesday, advising a large portion of Washington schools to begin a phased return to in-person classes, starting with younger students. Read more.
2:08pm – Elvis Presley famously helped convince Americans to take the polio vaccine. Can Washington’s own modern-day celebrities do the same for the COVID-19 vaccine? Read more.
12:41pm – A bit of good news today from the Washington State Department of Health as claims that Washingtonians had some of the safest Thanksgivings in the nation may be proving true. State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy said Wednesday that “it does appear that we are having some success in flattening the curve.”
Dr. Lofy added that any major post-holiday surge should have shown up by now in the data, but cautions that the state remains in a dangerous zone as death rates are still increasing and hospitalizations in Central Washington are very high.
“The case counts that are coming in every day are quite a bit higher than they were in the spring and during the summer,” she said.
9:23am – Dr. Chris Spitters, Snohomish County’s health officer, says outbreaks of COVID-19 at places of employment are going up in the county, as are outbreaks at long-term care centers. Luckily, Spitters says even though hospitalizations are increasing in Snohomish County, there is not a critical shortage of bed or staff at this point.
7:19am – Due to high demand, Pierce County opened a free, drive-through COVID-19 testing site at a former vehicle emissions testing location in Lakewood. The site will be operated by Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays.
Mobile testing sites in Pierce County have tested more than 70,000 people since opening in July. Testing surged in November, the health department says, with some sites swabbing 1,000 people a day.
5:33am – Frontline workers and other high-risk individuals have been vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine across the United States, with the first doses in Washington given Tuesday. Now, another vaccine may be on the way. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold a public hearing on the Moderna vaccine Thursday, and an emergency use authorization could come by the end of the week.
The Associated Press reports that the Moderna vaccine is easier to handle than the one from Pfizer because it doesn’t need to be kept in the deep freeze at minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 70 Celsius).
Tuesday, Dec. 15
4:14pm – Health officials say there have been 205,069 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 2,953 deaths. There have been 3,411,676 people tested in Washington state and 12,773 hospitalizations.
3:53pm – Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced $5 million in new grants for restaurants, bars, and hospitality workers on Tuesday, in hopes of providing “a lifeline to small businesses and workers” hit hardest by the COVID crisis.
2:34pm – Public health officials across the United States have struggled against political opposition since the start of the pandemic, often finding their advice disregarded by the public. Read more from the Associated Press.
12:51pm – While the Department of Labor and Industries is getting, on average, 329 complaints a day about businesses defying Governor Inslee’s coronavirus restrictions, only a handful of businesses statewide have actually gotten to the point of incurring fines. Read more.
11:18am – The first COVID-19 vaccinations at UW Medicine took place Tuesday as a group of frontline workers received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Read more.
8:32am – More than half the inmates (79 of 138) and 11 employees at Geiger Corrections Center, a jail in Spokane County, have tested positive for coronavirus. The inmates are being kept in isolation and quarantined. Between Geiger and nearby Airway Heights Corrections Center, which is also seeing more cases, the total infected is close to 850 people, and officials say the outbreak is not yet contained.
7:10am – A new high-volume COVID testing center at Bellevue College in Bellevue opens today, with drive-through and limited walk-up testing available. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Find a full list of all free King County testing sites online here.
5:29am – The first vaccinations at UW Medicine will take place Tuesday at 11 a.m. A group of frontline workers will be the first at UW Medicine to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The employees are nurses, doctors, environmental-services staff, and respiratory-care therapists.
UW Medicine received approximately 3,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday for its hospitals.
Monday, Dec. 14
5:01pm – The Washington Department of Health is now reporting 203,797 total COVID-19 cases statewide since the start of the pandemic, along with 2,918 deaths. Over that period, the state has seen 12,659 hospitalizations, with a 1.4% rate of death among those who tested positive for the virus.
3:10pm – Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation Monday, pausing any local efforts to terminate a health district or city-county health department, “such as what is currently taking place in Pierce County.” Read more.
1:26pm – The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board announced Monday that it is suspending the liquor license for That One Place, a restaurant in Port Orchard cited for repeated violations of COVID-19 regulations. Read more.
12:10pm – The Bainbridge Island School District is the latest in Washington to enroll in a testing pilot program, but does not yet have a start date. Only students showing symptoms will be tested, but all teachers and staff members can request a test at any time, according to The Kitsap Sun.
10:02am – The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived at a Seattle hospital on Monday and could be administered as soon as Tuesday. Read more.
8:08am – Tumwater is now making one of its annual holiday events a drive-through, calling it “Christmas Cruizin'” and including a drive-by photo booth. People can see lights on the Tumwater tree and pick up pre-reserved Christmas kits from their cars starting Friday. The event will also take donations for the Thurston County food bank.
6:41am – Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Washington on Monday. The state’s initial shipment has 62,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, which will be given first to frontline health care workers and people at long-term care facilities.
5:26am – Many Washington health care providers, long-term care facilities, as well as some counties and tribes in need are receiving new shipments of N95 masks from the state stockpile. Over the last month, the state distributed six million N95 masks — as many as were sent out in the first eight months of the pandemic.
