COVID updates: Vaccination site at Lumen Field to close
May 31, 2021, 8:10 AM | Updated: Oct 2, 2024, 6:53 am
(MyNorthwest photo)
The state Department of Health says there have been over 405,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Washington, and 5,836 people have died from the virus statewide. The state says 7,133,121 doses of vaccine have been administered. Check below for more updates.
As of May 12, everyone in Washington state age 12 or older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone who was eligible in an earlier phase or tier remains eligible.
Find a vaccine location near you or call 800-525-0127 to get help finding an appointment.
Confirmed coronavirus cases across Washington state
Sunday, June 6
1:32pm – Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is visiting a pop-up vaccination clinic on Capitol Hill on Sunday afternoon to celebrate that 70% of Seattle residents are now fully vaccinated.
“I think when history is written, they’ll say that Seattle got it right,” Durkan told NBC News last month. “We’re a city that believes in science. We believed in masking and vaccination and testing.”
8:24am – The mass vaccination site at Lumen Field in Seattle will close next Saturday, KIRO 7 reports. The site was active for nearly three months. The site will have been responsible for administering about 102,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Saturday, June 5
7:58pm – Health officials say there have been 405,174 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 5,836 deaths since the outbreak began in 2020. The state says 7,133,121 doses of vaccine have been administered across Washington.
9:11 am – An article on seven U.S. teen boys in several states, published online Friday in Pediatrics, is among the latest reports of heart inflammation discovered after COVID-19 vaccination, though a link to the vaccine has not been proven.
The boys, aged 14 to 19, received Pfizer shots in April or May and developed chest pain within a few days. Heart imaging tests showed a type of heart muscle inflammation called myocarditis.
None were critically ill. All were healthy enough to be sent home after two to six days in the hospital and are doing “doing pretty well,” said Dr. Preeti Jaggi, an Emory University infectious disease specialist who co-authored the report. Read more from the Associated Press.
Friday, June 4
4:47pm – It’s been 500 days since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Snohomish County. It was the first case identified in the United States.
Since then, nearly 40,000 people in the county, about 1 in 20, became reported cases. Of those cases, 2,000 people were hospitalized and 591 died from the virus.
Recently, the county reports case counts are declining, and hospitalizations and deaths are slowing. Additionally, since vaccination efforts began six months ago, more than half of county residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated, according to the health district.
4:36pm – Health officials say there have been 404,473 cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 5,836 deaths since the outbreak began in spring 2020. The state reports 7,133,121 doses of vaccine have been administered across Washington.
3:51pm – Skagit Valley Hospital is at full capacity, and it is not the only hospital in the northwestern part of the state feeling the pinch. And while officials don’t believe that COVID-19 is the root cause, the pandemic still may be playing a role. Read more.
2:19pm – If you skipped a mammogram during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Researchers from Washington state found that screenings fell by 50% between April and December of 2020, according to the Seattle Times.
The decrease was more prominent for women of color and women in rural or low-income communities.
The lead researcher told the Times that it’s logical to assume this will cause more people to discover cases of breast cancer in later stages.
1:58pm – With eviction moratoriums in Washington and in the city of Seattle set to expire at the end of June, some local groups are pushing for the state to cancel rent payments and help people avoid homelessness. Read more.
12:32pm – The Seattle Mariners are now offering more incentives for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Starting Monday, June 14, all fans who receive a COVID-19 vaccine at T-Mobile Park will receive a free pair of tickets to an upcoming Mariners game and a $20 Amazon gift card.
Vaccines have been available at Mariners games since May 4. So far, around 1,200 people have received vaccines at T-Mobile Park.
10:28am – Washington is set to reopen fully on June 30, or when the percentage of residents age 16 and older who have initiated vaccination reaches 70%, whichever comes first. Read more.
8:01am – Starting later this month, anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 through a participating provider in Kitsap County is eligible to receive a voucher that can be redeemed for a combination bus/ferry pass good for use on all of Kitsap Transit’s services in any month from June 2021 through May 2022.
This promotion is not available for those who have already been vaccinated.
6:55am – Between Aug. 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, there were 237 COVID-19 outbreaks and 909 COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools statewide reported to the state Department of Health. Seventy percent of the outbreaks involved two or three cases. Read the full report here.
5:40am – Eastern Washington University now joins the list of universities requiring COVID-19 vaccination for students and staff by fall quarter. EWU says proof of vaccination will be required for all students and staff who want to come to campus and participate in university activities. That’s a reversal of a decision last month to not require vaccination.
There will also be vaccine incentives to encourage students and faculty to get a shot, including free tuition for a year, gift cards, and passes for football games.
Thursday, June 3
4:48pm – Health officials say there have been 403,882 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 5,821 deaths since the outbreak began. The state reports 7,071,595 doses of vaccine have been administered.
3:29pm – Gov. Inslee on Thursday announced the state is incentivizing people in Washington to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.
The incentives announced include: lottery cash drawings, with prizes totaling $2 million; higher education tuition and expense assistance; sports tickets and gear; gift cards; airline tickets; and game systems and smart speakers.
12:44pm – All University of Washington employees must have coronavirus vaccinations to return to work fall quarter.
“We have a good understanding of COVID now,” UW President Ana Mari Cauce said. “We know how it spreads and what works to prevent the spread.”
Cauce announced last month that students must be vaccinated to return to campus and student housing in the fall, but at the time had not yet made a decision for staff. Students and employees can be granted exemptions for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons.
10:27am – Starting today, people who live in the United States, are at least 18 years old, and have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through Kroger Health are eligible to win $1 million. There will be a million-dollar winner selected each week for a total of five winners, and 50 other winners will receive groceries for a year.
Learn more and sign up for your chance to win here.
9:18am – Oregon is close to making “cocktails to-go” permanent after the state Legislature has said yes to continuing the pandemic measure. It’s now up to Governor Kate Brown to either sign or veto the bill.
The offering of cocktails to-go began during the pandemic to help restaurants and bars stay afloat. Washington state passed a law in April allowing them to remain though 2023 as the state Liquor and Cannabis Board waits on an independent study into the impact of to-go drinks.
8:05am – The director of the Washington State Lottery will be joining Gov. Inslee during an afternoon press conference Thursday. This has prompted speculation that the state could soon have a type of vaccine lottery or other major incentive for those vaccinated against COVID-19.
KIRO Radio and MyNorthwest will have coverage of the governor’s announcement following his press conference at 2:30 p.m. Watch live on TVW here.
7:49am – The Seattle Sounders announced that stadium capacity at Lumen Field will be increased for the remainder of the 2021 season, with full capacity vaccinated sections in the lower bowl for the next three home games. Season ticket members have been welcomed back to their seats for those games, if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Members who are unable to get vaccinated or who are not yet fully vaccinated can choose to move their tickets to another section, or return their tickets for credit.
There will also be single-match tickets on sale. Kids age 5-15 can bring proof of a negative test within 72 hours of kickoff to sit in any fully vaccinated section.
6:25am – The Seattle Fire Department will host pop-up vaccination clinics this week at breweries, business districts, farmers markets, and parks. All SFD pop-ups will offer Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines, and all state residents age 12 and older are eligible.
Those who have already begun vaccination can receive their second dose as long as they provide proof of vaccination via their vaccine card or immunization record.
On Thursday, there will be a pop-up at Franz Bakery in the Central District for workers, customers, and residents of the surrounding neighborhood, and a second pop-up clinic at the Queen Anne Farmers Market. SFD is partnering with Obec Brewing and Stoup Brewing in Ballard to host in-brewery clinics on Friday. Find details and a full list of this week’s pop-up locations here.
5:04am – The Spokane Regional Health District said Wednesday that a death was reported in the 0-9 age demographic. After investigation, however, the health district says it was determined a death did not occur in this age range.
“Because data is reported out on the report date, it should be considered tentative and subject to change while further investigation takes place,” the health district clarified in its COVID-19 update email.
The Spokesman-Review reported about the death Wednesday, which was then shared in MyNorthwest’s COVID updates. The Spokesman story has since been corrected.
Wednesday, June 2
5:16pm – Unvaccinated seniors are 13 times more likely than vaccinated seniors to be hospitalized with COVID-19 — and that number is up to 21 times for middle-aged adults — but that still means a small percentage of people are getting COVID, despite having had the shot.
State epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist says some of these cases, known as breakthrough cases, were expected, since no vaccine is 100% foolproof. A vaccine with around 95% efficacy in clinical trials, such as Pfizer or Moderna, will still leave you with a 5% chance of coming down with COVID if you are exposed. Read more.
4:47pm – Health officials say there have been 403,194 coronavirus cases in Washington state, and 5,801 deaths since the outbreak began in the spring of 2020. The state reports 7,071,595 does of vaccine have been administered.
3:51pm – As cities and counties begin to phase out mass COVID-19 vaccination sites, the state Department of Health is launching a mobile vaccine clinic. Think bookmobile or ice cream truck, but full of Pfizer shots. Read more.
11:35am – A study by the University of Washington that sampled hundreds of people in the Puget Sound region last year revealed people working from home felt more productive without a commute, with fewer interruptions from co-workers, and with a flexible schedule. Read more.
10:17am – The Seattle Center is getting ready to welcome back the masses. The Armory, where the food court is housed, will reopen July 1, and the International Fountain will follow soon after.
Outdoor exercise classes and movies, as well as some live performances and festivals have all announced their full or partial return this summer. Bumbershoot organizers have said they will not hold the Labor Day weekend music festival this year.
9:08am – The Washington State Department of Health is launching a new mobile vaccination effort called “Care-A-Van” with community partners and local health. It’s designed to increase COVID-19 vaccine access for priority communities as the state tries to keep demand for vaccines high and work toward reopening the state with 70% or more of the population protected.
Groups can now request Care-A-Van visits at their events on the DOH website here.
7:56am – Live music is coming back to Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in downtown Seattle next week. The first show is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, with singer Lisa Fischer and pianist Taylor Eigsti.
The jazz club has other artists booked through the rest of the month and into July.
6:44am – To encourage people to get vaccinated, Pierce County leaders are offering a chance to win two round-trip vouchers anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Over the next week and a half, the county is putting on a series of pop-up vaccination clinics at local restaurants. Today, anyone who stops by Carr’s Restaurant in Lakewood from 4-7 p.m. and gets vaccinated on site at the clinic can be entered to win. Find a full list of events here.
5:29am – Fourth of July fireworks shows are expected to be few and far between in Western Washington again this year because of the pandemic. But Edmonds has decided the show will go on.
Alicia Morena with the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce told KIRO 7 TV that the city will also reintroduce its Fourth of July Parade, but only if there are enough volunteers.
Tuesday, June 1
5:01pm – Health officials say there have been 402,536 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, and 5,789 deaths. The state says 7,061,165 doses of vaccine have been administered.
4:25pm – Even though Kitsap County’s coronavirus cases are down by half the past four weeks, Kitsap Health officer Dr. Gib Morrow says case numbers are similar to recent reports from Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties.
However, all those counties report that there are fewer deaths and hospitalizations now than earlier in the pandemic. Morrow says vaccination rates are playing a role with those numbers.
1:01pm – More Mariners fans will be allowed at T-Mobile Park starting June 14. Nearly 31,000 tickets will be sold, which is more than triple the current capacity limit of 9,000.
About 85% of seats will go to those who are fully vaccinated. Those unvaccinated can still attend in socially distanced pods.
The Mariners plan to fully open T-Mobile Park when all state restrictions lift on June 30.
11:18am – Will the Memorial Day weekend have a negative impact on our state’s COVID-19 case rates?
“Only time will tell,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Snohomish County health officer.
Spitters said it will depend on how Washingtonians spent the holiday weekend as “outdoors is better than indoors, spaced out is better than crowded together, and vaccinated is much better, much, much better, than unvaccinated.”
10:10am – The Bonney Lake City Council voted in favor of a resolution to ban vaccine passports and related segregation in their town. Read more.
7:45am – At the Everett AquaSox games on Tuesday and Wednesday, fans can get a Pfizer vaccine shot from 5:30-8 p.m. Staff will return later in the month for a second dose clinic.
Fans who get both doses will receive a hot dog and a ticket voucher for a future AquaSox game.
7:03am – Three more Seattle Public Library branches will reopen for in-person services soon. The Ballard library reopens Tuesday, Rainier Beach and Douglass-Truth will open June 11.
The Lake City, Beacon Hill, Broadview, and Southwest branches have already reopened.
5:42am – As of now, almost 62% of Washingtonians age 16 or older have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The goal is to be at 70% to fully reopen the state.
KIRO 7 TV reports that if the state stays on its current pace of more than 41,000 doses given per day, Washington could reach 70% vaccine initiation by June 12, weeks ahead of the current target date for a full reopening, which was set by the governor on June 30.
Monday, May 31
6:09pm – Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the state Department of Health did not update the COVID-19 data dashboard. Data from Monday will be included in the total count and rate data for Tuesday.
4:45pm – Around the nation, Americans will be able to pay tribute to fallen troops in ways that were impossible last year, when virus restrictions were in effect in many places. It will also be a time to remember the tens of thousands of veterans who died from COVID-19 and recommit to vaccinating those who remain reluctant. Read more from the Associated Press.
1:27pm – A lot of people, including KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross, are reporting that because they’ve been holed up for so long that once they get back into a car, it’s almost like a new experience for them.
Fortunately, there are people studying things like the neuroscience of driving, one of whom is Dr. Elizabeth Walshe with the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Read more.
8:08am – King County will open some vaccination sites Monday, on the Memorial Day holiday, with no appointment needed. The Auburn Outlet Collection and Kent ShoWare Center sites will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both sites are offering all three vaccines.