Recap of Recent COVID-19 News and Updates
COVID-19 BULLETIN
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021
Contact:
Public Information Desk
doh-pio@doh.wa.gov
Statewide Response Updates
Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 317,805 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 22. There have been 4,881 COVID-19 deaths in Washington.
For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and the state’s Road to Recovery Metrics dashboard.
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, data note: Negative test results data from Nov. 21-30, 2020, are incomplete. Thus, negative test results and percent positivity (Testing tab) for that period should be interpreted with caution. Otherwise, the incomplete time frames presented in the dashboard are correct and up to date. The Epidemiologic Curves tab is the most accurate representation of COVID-19 activity and is updated daily as new cases are identified.
First case of B.1.351 variant identified in Washington state as cases of B.1.1.7 increase. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), along with Public Health - Seattle & King County and the UW Medicine Virology Lab, announced that the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in King County. Read the full news release here.
New hours for state COVID-19 information hotline. DOH is optimizing the hours for the hotline to better serve the public. New hours of operation:
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and observed state holidays
Read the full news release here.
Mass vaccination sites forced to close due to weather-delayed vaccine shipments. Winter weather shipment delays across the nation forced DOH to close the four state-led mass vaccination sites last weekend, and some locations are impacted this week. Read the full news release here.
Overdose deaths show alarming trend in 2020; fentanyl partly to blame. Overdose deaths in Washington increased by 38 percent in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Most of that increase came from deaths involving fentanyl, a very strong opioid. Read the full news release here.
Updates for providers: The following guidance documents have been updated for providers on the DOH List of Notifiable Conditions page:
Statewide COVID-19 Outbreak Report. This weekly document provides an overview of reported COVID-19 outbreaks in our state, based on information in DOH's Washington Disease Reporting System (WDRS). Read the full Feb. 19 report here.
Inslee signs $2.2 billion COVID relief bill. On Feb. 19, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1368, which appropriates $2.2 billion in federal funding that has been allocated to states in response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. The legislation took effect immediately. Read the full news release here.
Resources
Latest COVID-19 reopening guidance for businesses and workers. A full list of current reopening guidance from the Governor's Office is available here.
Find a COVID-19 testing location near you. To make it easier to find a test near you, the Department of Health has created a webpage to help people find COVID-19 testing locations throughout the state.
Guidance and resources for employers and business owners. Sign up for the Washington State Department of Commerce weekly business and worker newsletter here.
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.
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