COVID-19 updates: Fast rollout of virus vaccine trials reveals tribal distrust

The state Department of Health says there have been more than 245,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Washington state, and 3,459 people have died from the virus statewide. Check below for more updates.

Confirmed coronavirus cases across Washington state

Sunday, Jan. 3

5:27pm – The state Department of Health is reporting 245,381 confirmed cases with 3,459 deaths statewide since the start of the pandemic, but in the data note says total case counts could include up to 1,700 duplicates. The DOH did not update the dashboard Saturday due to data processing challenges.

3:50pm – President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration will include a “virtual parade across America” consistent with crowd limits during the coronavirus era, organizers announced Sunday. Read more from the AP.

7:45am – A COVID-19 outbreak at a hospital in Vancouver, Wash., has infected at least 30 patients. All infected patients at the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center had tested negative for the virus when they arrived at the hospital and were being admitted for other reasons. Six employees have also tested positive and 86 others are now in self-quarantine due to possible exposure.

The hospital’s medical officer says they are working to discover the source of the outbreak.

Saturday, Jan. 2

6:29pm – The state Department of Health said it will not update the dashboard Saturday due to data processing challenges, but does anticipate updating the dashboard Sunday, Jan. 3.

12:36pm – About 460 Native Americans participated in the trials for the vaccine by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, including Navajos. The enrollment reflects a growing understanding of the role that people of color play in vaccine development and the push to rapidly deploy it to curb infections among populations that have been disproportionately affected by the virus.

Yet, few of the country’s 574 federally recognized tribes have signed on for the studies, a hesitation often rooted in suspicion and distrust. Many tribes also require several layers of approval for clinical trials, a challenge researchers aren’t always willing to overcome and don’t face in the states.

While vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna Inc. roll out across Indian Country, others are being studied.

In the Pacific Northwest, the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe plan to participate in a vaccine trial from another company, Novavax Inc. A Cheyenne River Sioux researcher plans to enroll Native Americans and others in South Dakota in the Novavax trial and another by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline. Read more from the AP.

6:56am – A Snohomish County restaurant is defying Gov. Inslee’s order and has reopened for indoor dining. KIRO 7 TV reports The Mountain View Diner in Gold Bar faces possible citations and fines.

Friday, Jan. 1

3:15pm – An inmate at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla died Thursday from COVID-19, and another inmate died from the virus at the Airway Heights Corrections Center in Spokane County on Dec. 26. That brings the total number of inmates to die from COVID in Washington up to seven.

9:43am – More than 4,400 new positive tests were reported in Washington in Thursday’s data update, one of the highest one-day totals. However, the state Department of Health says it is still experiencing a backlog, which may account at least in part for the high number of new reported cases.

As of Dec. 31, the state DOH is reporting 237,165 confirmed cases with 3,461 deaths. The dashboard will not be updated Friday due to the holiday. Regular reporting will resume Saturday.

Dec. 31 data note from the DOH: “Today’s total case counts may include up to 750 duplicates and include a backlog of cases not reported yesterday. Negative test results from November 21-30, 2020 are also incomplete. Therefore, testing numbers and case counts should be interpreted with caution. The Epidemiologic Curves tab is the most accurate representation of COVID activity and is updated daily as new cases are identified and duplicates are resolved.”

Thursday, Dec. 31

4:13pm – As the first cases of the new COVID variant spreading through the United Kingdom and South Africa have been detected in the U.S., Sea-Tac Airport is trying to keep it from making its way to Washington. Read more. 

2:49pm – Gov. Jay Inslee formally extended Washington’s eviction moratorium Thursday, which now runs through March 31, 2021. Inslee had initially announced his intention to extend the moratorium last week, after it was set to expire at the end of 2020.

1:32pm – A Costco location near Yakima is reporting 145 positive COVID-19 cases, with more expected as sitewide testing and tracing efforts continue.

The Yakima Health Department believes the outbreak began prior to Christmas. At that time, 68 workers had tested positive for the virus.

12:22pm – A second Washington State Department of Corrections employee died from COVID-19 on Tuesday. Correctional Officer David Christensen, 62, passed away from complications due to the virus.

11:13am – The state Department of Health reported on Wednesday that 59,491 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across Washington, but the effort has a long way to go if every 7.6 million Washingtonians were to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.

9:20am – Since mid-December, 30 people have tested positive for coronavirus at a hotel housing more than 200 homeless people in Renton, according to Public Health — Seattle & King County.

It’s the most seen since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic at any of the hotels the county is using to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 among homeless people, The Seattle Times reported. The Red Lion Hotel in Renton was opened by the county to keep people out of crowded bunk-bed or mats-on-the-ground shelters. Read more from the AP.

5:39am – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell all but shut the door on President Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks, declaring Congress has provided enough pandemic aid as he blocked another attempt by Democrats to force a vote.

The GOP leader made clear Wednesday he is unwilling to budge, despite political pressure from Trump and some fellow Republican senators demanding action. Trump wants the recent $600 in aid increased threefold. But McConnell dismissed the idea of bigger “survival checks” approved by the House, saying the money would go to plenty of American households that just don’t need it. Read more from the AP.

Wednesday, Dec. 30

4:29pm – Health officials say there have been 232,993 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,420 deaths since the outbreak began. The state reports 3,805,390 people have been tested and 14,571 people have been hospitalized.

2:53pm – California on Wednesday announced the nation’s second confirmed case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus, offering a strong indication that the infection is spreading more widely in the United States.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the infection found in Southern California during an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Read more from the AP.

12:47pm – DOH reports 59,491 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Washington state. And 356,650 doses have been delivered to WA. That’s a rate of 18.7%. They expect that both data sets will increase after the holiday weekend.

12:18pm – Most health insurers in Washington state have signaled their intent to immediately waive all cost-sharing for COVID-19 vaccinations. Policyholders will be covered regardless of where they receive the vaccination. Read the full release from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

11:11am – Gov. Jay Inslee announced a one-week extension of the “Stay Safe–Stay Healthy” proclamation, along with the statewide restrictions currently in place, which includes a ban on indoor gatherings and dining. The ban was originally set to expire on Jan. 4 and now expires on Jan. 11, 2021. Read more.

8:50am – The Puyallup School District is planning to bring back some kindergarten and first grade students into classrooms next month. The district shared its plans for a phased return to school starting Jan. 12, according to The News Tribune. In the plan, an estimated 75% of students will be in classrooms while the other 25% will continue remote learning. Students and staff will be required to wear masks.

7:25am – President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out in the Senate as Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats and split within their own ranks over whether to boost spending or defy the White House. The roadblock mounted Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may not be sustainable as pressure mounts.

Senators will be back at it Wednesday as McConnell is devising a way out of the political bind, but the outcome is highly uncertain.

“There’s one question left today: Do Senate Republicans join with the rest of America in supporting $2,000 checks?” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to vote. Read more from the Associated Press.

6:37am – At least 78 people are infected with COVID-19 due to an outbreak at a Bremerton nursing home — Forest Ridge Health and Rehabilitation — and Kitsap County health officials now say they’re dealing with a staffing crisis there.

Employees told The Kitsap Sun that management pressured staff who tested positive to come back to work and care for infected residents. The nursing home’s director denied those claims. The county is working with state officials to investigate.

Tuesday, Dec. 29

5:44pm – The COVID-19 vaccine is now in the hands of the Washington Department of Corrections.

According to the Phase 1A vaccine dosing prioritization, the department began vaccinating staff and prisoners on Monday. The process will continue over the next several weeks, based on the state’s vaccine supply. Read more.

4:56pm – Health officials say there have been 231,724 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,369 deaths. The state says there have been 14,445 people hospitalized since the outbreak began, and 3,798,321 people tested.

2:43pm – The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that’s been seen in the United Kingdom has been discovered in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday.

The coronavirus variant was found in a man in his 20s who is in isolation southeast of Denver and has no travel history, state health officials said. Read more from AP.

1:44pm – President-elect Joe Biden criticized the Trump administration Tuesday for the pace of distributing COVID-19 vaccines, saying it is “falling far behind.”

Biden said “it’s gonna take years, not months, to vaccinate the American people” at the current pace. Read more from AP.

12:49pm – As students and teachers across the state return to classes after winter break, Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett will continue hybrid reopening. Starting Jan. 4, half the school, which is about 230 students, will return to physical classrooms on campus, according to the Everett Herald. The other half will tune into classes online.

The private school was one of the first schools in the county to partially reopen earlier this year.

10:58am – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats’ push to immediately bring President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote, saying the chamber would “begin a process” to address the issue. Read more from the AP.

Pressure is mounting on the Republican-led Senate to follow the House, which voted overwhelmingly on Monday to meet the president’s demand to increase the checks from $600 as the virus crisis worsens. A growing number of Republicans, including two senators in runoff elections on Jan. 5 in Georgia, have said they will support the larger amount. But most GOP senators oppose more spending, even if they are also wary of bucking Trump.

The outcome is highly uncertain heading into the rare holiday-week session.

“We should not adjourn until the Senate holds a vote,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to push it toward a vote.

McConnell, who has said little publicly on Trump’s request, objected but gave almost no indication of his plans ahead.

7:18am – Washington state’s intensive care units are at an average of 71% occupancy, according to a tracker built and maintained by the New York Times. The national average for ICU occupancy sits at about 78%. Read more.

5:56am – The virulent new variant of the coronavirus has arrived in Canada, including on Vancouver Island. So far, it hasn’t shown up in Washington, and Gov. Inslee hopes his 14-day quarantine on visitors from the UK will stop that from happening.

On Monday, a new CDC order went into effect, requiring anyone flying into the United States from the United Kingdom to get a COVID test within 72 hours of taking off. If you are waiting for test results, test positive, or are sick, do not travel. The CDC also advises against any travel to the UK at this time.

Monday, Dec. 28

5:04pm – Health officials say there have been 229,672 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 3,195 deaths since the outbreak began. The state reports that 3,768,662 people have been tested and there have been 14,276 hospitalizations.

December 28, 2020 data note: Negative test results data from November 21-30, 2020 are currently incomplete. Also, death data have not been systematically updated since December 24, 2020 due to a processing issue. We are currently working to address these issues as quickly as possible.

3:41pm – The House voted Monday to increase COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000, meeting President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger payments and sending the bill to the GOP-controlled Senate, where the outcome is uncertain.

Democrats led passage, 275-134, their majority favoring additional assistance. They had settled for smaller $600 payments in a compromise with Republicans over the big year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law.

The vote divides Republicans who mostly resist more spending. But many House Republicans joined in support, despite being wary of bucking the president. Senators are set to return to session Tuesday to consider the measure. Read more from AP.

2:11pm – As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reports of more than 2.1 million vaccinations out of 11.4 million doses shipped — but the agency knows that count is outdated. It can take days for reports from vaccine providers to trickle in and get added to the site.

“Just because a vaccine arrives, doesn’t mean we can put an on-the-spot clinic up and running,” said Jenny Barta, a public health official in Carlton County, Minnesota. Read more from AP.

11:52am – UW Medicine researchers are starting to enroll up to 1,000 volunteers for a Phase 3 clinical trial to help determine the efficacy of a Novavax vaccine candidate in protecting against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. UW Medicine’s site for enrolling participants will be the Virology Research Clinic at Harborview Medical Center’s Ninth and Jefferson Building in Seattle.

Researchers will make the vaccine trials accessible and equitable for populations that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort will include deploying mobile sites at other locations in Washington. Visit this site for more information.

10:18am – Three new COVID testing kiosks run by Curative are now open in city parks in North, Central, and South Seattle. The tests are free and will be self-administered oral swabs. Test results are expected to come back within 48 hours.

For a full list of state testing facilities, visit the Department of Health’s website here.

8:40am – The city of Seattle is extending child care co-pay relief through March 2021. Mayor Jenny Durkan said the city will cover 50% of the remaining co-pay costs for income eligible families. For the last two months, the city had been covering 100% of those costs.

7:26am – Forest Ridge Health and Rehabilitation, a Bremerton nursing facility, is dealing with a growing coronavirus outbreak of at least 26 confirmed cases, according to the Kitsap Public Health Department. However, an employee told The Kitsap Sun that 56 residents and 25 staff members tested positive.

The Forest Ridge website does not have any information about the outbreak. The latest update from the facility’s parent company says none of its facilities have reported a positive case.

5:34am – Washington state is expected to receive more than 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. That includes 57,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine and 44,000 doses of Moderna’s. So far, more than 30,000 doses have been administered statewide.

Check last week’s updates here.

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