Statewide Response Updates

COVID-19 BULLETIN

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Contact: 

Joint Information Center
doh-pio@doh.wa.gov

Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 77,545 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on September 6. There have been 1,953 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 COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

DOH operations were severely impacted by wind storm damage and many services were unavailable this afternoon, including the DOH website and phones. Given the interruptions, DOH was not be able to update COVID-19 data today.

Weekly COVID-19 response update media briefing tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The weekly COVID-19 response update media briefing with leaders from the governor’s office and DOH will be tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. TVW will livestream the briefing here.

Wildfire smoke and COVID-19.  Wildfire smoke can cause symptoms that range from the annoying — eye, nose, and throat irritation — to the dangerous — wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Wildfire smoke is especially harmful for children, pregnant women, and people who are over 65. And if you already have a heart or lung condition like asthma or COVID-19, breathing in wildfire smoke can make it worse.

Take steps to keep smoke out and have better indoor air quality.

  • You can do this by improving filtration and creating a clean air room in your home. If you create a homemade box fan air filter, never leave it unattended. Left alone, it is a fire hazard.

  • When the air quality is poor, don’t add to indoor air pollution by burning candles or incense, or smoking inside.

  • Close windows and doors when it’s smoky outside but open windows and let in fresh air when there’s better air quality outside.

  • Wear your cloth face covering to slow the spread of COVID-19, but don’t think it is protecting you from the smoke. It keeps droplets from spreading, but lets dangerous microscopic smoke particles right in.

  • Stay informed about wildfire smoke on the Washington Smoke Information blog and your local clean air agency’s website.

  • For more information to protect your health visit DOH's Smoke from Fires web page.

Governor Inslee press briefing on state's wildfire response. Today, the governor and state agency officials provided an update on the state's wildfire response. A recording of the briefing is available from TVW here. 

Can an employer require their employees be tested? This depends on the situation. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the ADA requires any policy mandating employee testing be “job related and consistent with business necessity.” Applying this standard to COVID-19: because an infected individual poses a direct threat to others, employers may take steps, including testing, to determine whether employees entering the workplace have COVID-19. Please learn more here.

Should an employer require their employees to be tested for COVID-19 routinely or before returning to work? The Department of Health only recommends routine screening of asymptomatic employees in certain high risk situations (e.g., healthcare workers in skilled nursing facilities). Screening asymptomatic workers for COVID-19 only assesses the worker at that point in time and tests do not always detect people who are infected.

The Department of Health strongly discourages employers from requiring their employees to test negative before returning to work after a confirmed COVID-19 infection. People with confirmed COVID-19 infection who are not hospitalized can return to work after:

  • At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and

  • At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and

  • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving (Note: Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation)​

People with confirmed COVID-19 infection who were admitted to a hospital may need to stay in isolation up to 20 days since their symptoms first appeared. Repeat testing after COVID-19 is not generally recommended because recovered persons can shed pieces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at very low levels in their nose and test positive for up to 3 months after illness onset. However, these individuals are not likely infectious to others.

Resources

Guidance and resources for employers and business owners. Sign up for the weekly business and worker newsletter here.

Washington 211 COVID-19 call center is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

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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CHA Washington