Coronavirus updates: Washington cases reach 20,181; 1078 deaths

SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 15: A ground crew cleans behind a counter at check-in at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 15, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The state of Washington has over 600 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and U.S. airports have been crushed with returning citizens after restrictions on travel from Europe were implemented. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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SEATTLE, WA - MAY 06: Bus driver Treva White and nutritionist Shaunté Fields deliver meals to children and their families on May 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the closure of all schools Seattle Public Schools meal program distributes breakfast and lunch through 26 school sites and 43 bus routes five days a week. Approximately 6,500 people are served per day through the program. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)Karen Ducey/Getty Images

According to CNN, “Shipping companies FedEx and UPS started transport on Sunday [Dec. 13] and completed all first-day vaccine deliveries” of COVID-19 vaccines. “US Surgeon General Jerome Adams called the rollout of the vaccine ‘tremendous,’” CNN reported. "This is just tremendous and I'm smiling bigger than I've smiled in a long time because it has been a hard year for so many people out there, including me personally," Adams told CNN. "Today we really did get a shot of hope." — According to **CNN**, “Shipping companies FedEx and UPS started transport on Sunday [Dec. 13] and completed all first-day vaccine deliveries” of COVID-19 vaccines.

“US Surgeon General Jerome Adams called the rollout of the vaccine ‘tremendous,’” CNN reported. "This is just tremendous and I'm smiling bigger than I've smiled in a long time because it has been a hard year for so many people out there, including me personally," Adams told CNN. "Today we really did get a shot of hope."
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“Soon after its appearance [coronavirus], researchers identified the viral cause of COVID-19, mapped its genome, and tracked its spread,” reported Harvard Health Publishing. “For a virus that was unknown less than a year ago, all of these things happened quickly because of the dedication and cooperation of scientists and public health officials around the world. Imagine how things would be right now if we still did not know the cause of this terrible disease, and had no idea where it was spreading.” — “Soon after its appearance [coronavirus], researchers identified the viral cause of COVID-19, mapped its genome, and tracked its spread,” reported **Harvard Health Publishing**. “For a virus that was unknown less than a year ago, all of these things happened quickly because of the dedication and cooperation of scientists and public health officials around the world. Imagine how things would be right now if we still did not know the cause of this terrible disease, and had no idea where it was spreading.”
Erik Trautmann/Hearst Connecticut Media

Despite a remarkably challenging 2020, the world has taken significant strides in improving measures of testing and contact tracing. “Recognizing that there are formidable challenges and barriers to widespread implementation of these measures, we’ve seen better containment in places where testing and contact tracing are routine (such as New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore),” Harvard Health Publishing stated. “And it seems likely that at some point we’ll have new and better tests with improved accuracy, more widespread availability (including home testing), and faster turnaround times.” — Despite a remarkably challenging 2020, the world has taken significant strides in improving measures of testing and contact tracing.

“Recognizing that there are formidable challenges and barriers to widespread implementation of these measures, we’ve seen better containment in places where testing and contact tracing are routine (such as **New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore**),” **Harvard Health Publishing** stated. “And it seems likely that at some point we’ll have **new and better tests** with improved accuracy, more widespread availability (including home testing), and faster turnaround times.”
Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer

In a recent virtual event with the Duke Science and Society, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that thanks to science "we will crush" the COVID-19 outbreak. "Biomedical research and science have given us something that just a decade ago would have seemed unimaginable,” Fauci stated. “To be able to have a new virus that we had never had experience with before ... being thrust upon us and throw us into one of the most extraordinary destructive pandemics in over 100 years. Just over the past few days, science has allowed us to have a vaccine that when we distribute it to people throughout the country, and hopefully throughout the world, we will crush this outbreak that has really terrorized us for the last 11 months, not only here in the United States, but worldwide ... it's damaged severely, the economy and lead to people suffering things, not necessarily directly related to being ill themselves, but all the secondary consequences that go with the effects of a global pandemic such as this." — In a recent virtual event with the Duke Science and Society, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that thanks to science "we will crush" the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Biomedical research and science have given us something that just a decade ago would have seemed unimaginable,” Fauci stated. “To be able to have a new virus that we had never had experience with before ... being thrust upon us and throw us into one of the most extraordinary destructive pandemics in over 100 years. Just over the past few days, science has allowed us to have a vaccine that when we distribute it to people throughout the country, and hopefully throughout the world, we will crush this outbreak that has really terrorized us for the last 11 months, not only here in the United States, but worldwide ... it's damaged severely, the economy and lead to people suffering things, not necessarily directly related to being ill themselves, but all the secondary consequences that go with the effects of a global pandemic such as this."
Graeme Jennings/Associated Press

“The number of students applying to medical school for the upcoming 2021 academic year is up by 18%,” CNN reported. “A huge spike compared to the previous year. It's also a record considering that the Association of American Medical Colleges usually sees an increase about 1 to 3 percent year over year.” "Just as the military saw a spike in enlistment after the 9/11 attacks,” CNN followed, “the motivating factor in this pandemic era could be the high regard Americans hold for health care professionals. — “The number of students applying to medical school for the upcoming 2021 academic year **is up by 18%**,” **CNN reported**. “A huge spike compared to the previous year. It's also a record considering that the Association of American Medical Colleges usually sees an increase about 1 to 3 percent year over year.”

"Just as the military saw a spike in enlistment after the 9/11 attacks,” CNN followed, “the motivating factor in this pandemic era could be the high regard Americans hold for health care professionals.
John L. Mone, STF / Associated Press

Perhaps many Americans can calm down on the panic buying, as according to the Associated Press, distilleries across the country have used high-proof alcohol to make hand sanitizer, and are still divvying it out for free, or by donation to combat the novel coronavirus. The Washington Distillers Guild partnered with a number of local distilleries to produce thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer to those working on the front lines treating those who have contracted the novel coronavirus. — Perhaps many Americans can calm down on the panic buying, as according to the **Associated Press**, distilleries across the country have used high-proof alcohol to make hand sanitizer, and are still divvying it out for free, or by donation to combat the novel coronavirus.

The Washington Distillers Guild partnered with a number of local distilleries to produce **thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer** to those working on the front lines treating those who have contracted the novel coronavirus.
Sue Ogrocki/AP

Analysts from the Washington Post noted a drastic decrease in major greenhouses gases over Europe earlier this year as individuals self-quarantined and cars stayed parked at home. While it's little comfort to a country ravaged by the novel coronavirus, it highlights the impact humans can make on the environment. "I expect pollution to drop even further as the particles in the atmosphere get either dispersed or absorbed," Emanuele Massetti, an expert on the economics of climate change at Georgia Tech University who has studied Italy's climate policies, told the Washington Post. "In a few days, they will enjoy the cleanest air ever in northern Italy." Additionally, NASA recently revealed pandemic restrictions have reduced global nitrogen dioxide concentrations by nearly 20%. — Analysts from the **Washington Post** noted a drastic decrease in major greenhouses gases over Europe earlier this year as individuals self-quarantined and cars stayed parked at home. While it's little comfort to a country ravaged by the novel coronavirus, it highlights the impact humans can make on the environment. "I expect pollution to drop even further as the particles in the atmosphere get either dispersed or absorbed," Emanuele Massetti, an expert on the economics of climate change at Georgia Tech University who has studied Italy's climate policies, told the Washington Post. "In a few days, they will enjoy the cleanest air ever in northern Italy."

Additionally, **NASA** recently revealed pandemic restrictions have reduced global nitrogen dioxide concentrations by nearly 20%.
Marco Sabadin / AFP via Getty Images

From the onset of the pandemic, restaurants, sports organizations and businesses stepped up to combat the community effects of the novel coronavirus. The sports world raised money for stadium employees, Uber Eats divvied out free deliveryto help independent restaurants, professional soccer players entertained viewerswith a FIFA tournament, restaurants doled out free food to those in need, and Bill Gates funneled out millions of dollars to speed up development of a coronavirus treatment, to name just a few out of dozens. — From the onset of the pandemic, restaurants, sports organizations and businesses stepped up to combat the community effects of the novel coronavirus. The sports world **raised money** for stadium employees, **Uber Eats divvied out free delivery**to help independent restaurants, **professional soccer players entertained viewers**with a FIFA tournament, restaurants doled out **free food to those in need**, and Bill Gates **funneled out millions of dollars** to speed up development of a coronavirus treatment, to name just a few out of dozens.

A multiplicity of Seattle-area restaurants and beyond have stepped up to help those who may have lost their jobs or been impacted by the community effects of the novel coronavirus, which has shuttered many small businesses across the Emerald City. The owner of Piroshky Piroshky developed a free online delivery site for local businesses; Salare completely shifted into a relief center for restaurant workers to pick up free meals and supplies; the Intentionalist developed a gift card marketplace for restaurants to source income for the time being; and independent GoFundMe’s have raised over $250,000 to support the Seattle hospitality industry. — A multiplicity of Seattle-area restaurants and beyond have stepped up to help those who may have lost their jobs or been impacted by the community effects of the novel coronavirus, which has shuttered many small businesses across the Emerald City. The owner of Piroshky Piroshky developed a **free online delivery site** for local businesses; Salare completely shifted into a **relief center for restaurant workers** to pick up free meals and supplies; the Intentionalist developed a **gift card marketplace** for restaurants to source income for the time being; and independent **GoFundMe’s** have raised over $250,000 to support the Seattle hospitality industry.
Lauren G/Yelp

In a bold move, Vulcan Real Estate announced it would not collect rent from small businesses and nonprofits in April. Additionally, Amazon and catering boxed lunch service Gourmondo partnered up alongside King County Housing Authority and Seattle Housing Authority to support more than 73,000 meals to those in need, including those elderly and medically-vulnerable residents. A new Seattle-based company, Weekdays, also connected parents in need with urgent childcare services as the COVID-19 outbreak closed schools and business. Seattle Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund has donated more than $10 million in emergency grants to vulnerable workers and families, and a local initiative by the name of All-In Seattle — comprised of Seattle area residents — launched with more than $27 million in pledged donations from individuals and entities, to local organizations that are directly working with people and businesses affected by the novel coronavirus. Seattle restaurants have also dipped their toes into the community relief scene, as Musang converted its kitchen into a community service operation to feed food insecure families, and the Central District’s Soulful Dishes teamed up with pop-up chef Tarik Abdullah to serve meals to those in need. — In a bold move, Vulcan Real Estate announced it would **not collect rent** from small businesses and nonprofits in April. Additionally, Amazon and catering boxed lunch service **Gourmondo** partnered up alongside King County Housing Authority and Seattle Housing Authority to support more than 73,000 meals to those in need, including those elderly and medically-vulnerable residents. A new Seattle-based company, **Weekdays**, also connected parents in need with urgent childcare services as the COVID-19 outbreak closed schools and business.

Seattle Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund has donated more than $10 million in emergency grants to vulnerable workers and families, and a **local initiative** by the name of All-In Seattle — comprised of Seattle area residents — launched with more than $27 million in pledged donations from individuals and entities, to local organizations that are directly working with people and businesses affected by the novel coronavirus.

Seattle restaurants have also dipped their toes into the community relief scene, as Musang converted its kitchen into a **community service operation** to feed food insecure families, and the Central District’s Soulful Dishes teamed up with pop-up chef Tarik Abdullah **to serve meals to those in need**.
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While Starbucks provided free coffee to those on the front lines, Safeway and Albertsons stores throughout Washington launched a checkstand fundraiser to help get food to those in need. Through the fundraiser, the company supported Northwest Harvest, which helps seniors who are more vulnerable to the spread of the virus, to safely get access to food and provide assistance to people who have lost their jobs and incomes. The fundraiser increased delivery of "emergency food boxes" to those in need and helped get more households vouchers and gift cards to buy groceries and other items. The funds were also used to help more families enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In an effort to increase accessibility to COVID-19 testing in Seattle, Amazon used its internal medical branch, Amazon Care, and delivery network to distribute and pick up at-home testing kits in the city. For this public health initiative, Amazon Care's services were available to the public as part of a research effort backed by the Gates Foundation, of which planned to donate $3.7 million to support various response efforts to the novel coronavirus pandemic in the greater Seattle area. — While Starbucks provided **free coffee to those on the front lines**, Safeway and Albertsons stores throughout Washington launched a **checkstand fundraiser** to help get food to those in need. Through the fundraiser, the company supported Northwest Harvest, which helps seniors who are more vulnerable to the spread of the virus, to safely get access to food and provide assistance to people who have lost their jobs and incomes. The fundraiser increased delivery of "emergency food boxes" to those in need and helped get more households vouchers and gift cards to buy groceries and other items. The funds were also used to help more families enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In an effort to increase accessibility to COVID-19 testing in Seattle, Amazon used its internal medical branch, Amazon Care, and delivery network to distribute and pick up at-home testing kits in the city. For this public health initiative, Amazon Care's services were available to the public as part of a research effort backed by the Gates Foundation, of which planned to donate $3.7 million to support various response efforts to the novel coronavirus pandemic in the greater Seattle area.
Richard Wellenberger/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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AFTER: Seats are shown with cutout photos of fans during a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, games are being played without fans in attendance, but the Mariners allowed people to purchase photos to place in the seats, and if a foul ball makes it to a seat, the team will mail it to the fan whose photo is there. — **AFTER:** Seats are shown with cutout photos of fans during a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, games are being played without fans in attendance, but the Mariners allowed people to purchase photos to place in the seats, and if a foul ball makes it to a seat, the team will mail it to the fan whose photo is there.
Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

AFTER: A playground in White Center is closed off with caution tape on March 29, 2020. Gov. Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order includes the closure of all King County parks and playgrounds. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: IHME: COVID-19 could become a 'recurrent seasonal disease' The projected timeline for the COVID vaccine in Washington So, you're vaccinated. Do you still have to follow Washington's restrictions? Book vaccine now: 'hundreds of appointments' available this week in West, South Seattle — **AFTER:** A playground in White Center is closed off with caution tape on March 29, 2020. Gov. Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order includes the closure of all King County parks and playgrounds.

**MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:**

**IHME: COVID-19 could become a 'recurrent seasonal disease'**

**The projected timeline for the COVID vaccine in Washington**

**So, you're vaccinated. Do you still have to follow Washington's restrictions?**

**Book vaccine now: 'hundreds of appointments' available this week in West, South Seattle**
Kristina Moy

TOPSHOT - A group of nurses wearing protective mask and gear pose for a group photo prior to their night shift on March 13, 2020 at the Cremona hospital, southeast of Milan, Lombardy, during the country's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the COVID-19 (new coronavirus) pandemic. - After weeks of struggle, they're being hailed as heroes. But the Italian healthcare workers are exhausted from their war against the new coronavirus. (Photo by Paolo MIRANDA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / PAOLO MIRANDA" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by PAOLO MIRANDA/AFP via Getty Images)
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As more and more tests were made available and completed, the number of cases of COVID-19 in Washington steadily grew. The number of confirmed cases statewide as of Monday climbed to 20,181 including 1,078 deaths according to the Washington State Department of Health.

As of Tuesday, there were 7,896 cases in King County according to King County Public Health's dashboard. That included 544 deaths.

The outbreak had reached 38 of Washington's counties this week, the majority of which were still in King, Snohomish, Yakima and Pierce counties. Skamania, Asotin, Wahkiakum, Pend Oreille and Pacific counties were the latest to report their first cases.

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To read the latest updates about the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state and the U.S. at large, scroll down.

May 26

Seattle City Council presents emergency legislation to give gig workers hazard pay

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The Seattle City Council is considering legislation that would require food and transportation delivery companies to provide gig workers in Seattle with hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed council bill, sponsored by council members Lisa Herbold and Andrew J. Lewis, would require delivery and rideshare companies like Uber, Postmates and Grubhub to provide a $5 payment to the delivery driver, in addition to tips and other commission, for any work-related stop in Seattle.

"Gig workers working during the COVID-19 emergency merit additional compensation because they are performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship that can cause extreme physical discomfort and distress due to the significant risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus," the legislation stated. "Gig workers have been working under these hazardous conditions for months. They are working in these hazardous conditions now and will continue to face safety risks as the virus presents an ongoing threat for an uncertain period, potentially resulting in subsequent waves of infection."

The bill comes as food delivery has become an essential lifeline to those adhering social distancing guidelines during the pandemic and for restaurants trying to stay in business. However, many of the workers delivering the food and goods, considered independent contractors, do not receive any benefits from the parent company.

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To read the full article from reporter Callie Craighead, click here.

Washington had third largest increase in unemployment claims amid coronavirus pandemic: report

The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to leave hundreds of thousands of people across Washington state out of work, struggling to make ends meet as the state slowly begins its reopening process.

According to a new report, Washington had the third largest increase in unemployment claims year over year during the week of May 11.

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The study, from WalletHub, found the state saw 145,228 unemployment claims during the week of May 11, compared to just 5,513 unemployment claims filed the week of May 13, 2019. That represents a more than 2,500% increase.

Washington also had the fourth highest increase in unemployment claims when compared to the first week of January this year, the report found. During the week of Jan. 1, 10,024 people filed unemployment claims, representing just a fraction of the number of people who filed for unemployment the week of May 11.

Between the weeks of March 16 and May 11, more than 1.2 million people have filed for unemployment insurance across Washington.

The study used data from the U.S. Department of Labor to find which states experienced the largest increase in unemployment claims year over year.

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To read the full story from reporter Becca Savransky, click here.

Rental bikes removed from Seattle during Lime-Jump merger

A San Francisco-based transportation company has prepared to redeploy rentable bikes in Seattle after it took over a rival bike renting company in a merger.

The announcement came after Uber, which owned Jump, led a $170 million investment in Lime, resulting in Lime acquiring Jump's operations, The Seattle Times reported.

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Jump previously had red-colored rentable bikes throughout the city, but Lime temporarily removed them for maintenance and system changes after the acquisition, Lime spokesperson Jonathan Hopkins said.

The Jump bikes are expected to return with new branding under Lime and be available in both the Uber and Lime applications.

To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

NY Stock Exchange reopens as US closes in on 100,000 dead

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The trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange reopened Tuesday in a largely symbolic step toward economic recovery, and stocks surged at the opening bell, even as the official U.S. death toll from the coronavirus closed in on 100,000, a mark President Donald Trump once predicted the country would never see.

With infections mounting rapidly in places like Brazil and India, a top global health official warned that the crisis around the world is far from over.

The NYSE trading floor in lower Manhattan opened for the first time in two months, though with plexiglass barriers, masks and a reduced number of traders to adhere to the 6-foot social-distancing rules. Those entering the NYSE will have their temperatures taken and were asked to avoid public transportation.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has presided over the state with the highest death toll from the scourge, rang the bell to set off trading.

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To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

May 25

Washington colleges, universities brace for big budget hit

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Washington’s public colleges and universities are preparing for large budget cuts because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The Seattle Times reports the state is expected to slash funding, since higher education dollars aren’t protected by the state constitution in the same way K-12 dollars are.

With the coronavirus pandemic expanding this spring, universities lost hundreds of millions in residence hall rents, meal plans, parking fees and sports tickets when schools closed their campuses. At community colleges, many hands-on vocational programs were canceled.

When — or if — students return campus life will likely be different, with many lectures taught online and dorm rooms reconfigured to keep people apart.

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To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

UW Medicine to furlough about 4,000 workers

UW Medicine announced furloughs of about 4,000 members of its unionized workforce in spite of the healthcare-system’s position at the forefront of COVID-19 response efforts both locally and globally.

KOMO-TV reports the decision comes a week after the healthcare-system announced that it was furloughing 1,500 professional staff and classified non-union staff to help address the financial challenges caused by COVID-19.

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In a statement, officials said it was necessary to address a $500 million financial impact COVID-19 has placed on UW Medicine.

The healthcare-system says the financial situation is the result of lost revenue at clinics due to the cancellation of elective and non-urgent procedures and surgeries as well as the high cost of treating COVID-19 patients, which includes testing and personal protective equipment.

“This has been a very difficult, but necessary, decision to address the financial challenges facing UW Medicine and all healthcare organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics.

To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

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NHL plans move to small-group training as Phase 2 of return

The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon -- with plenty of precautions.

The league, which paused its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a memo Monday saying it is targeting early next month as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice.

“It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last,” the said read. “We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club's markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

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The NHL, which has worked closely with the NHL Players' Association on the phased approach, said that while it views the protocol as “very comprehensive ... (it) cannot mitigate all risk.”

To read the full story from the Associated Press, click here.

Report: Car dealerships in Seattle, rest of country faced with excess inventory due to coronavirus

Car dealerships have been able to reopen since Gov. Jay Inslee's Phase 1 of his four-phase plan to reopen Washington's economy was announced earlier this month, but a new report found that excess inventory has piled up in many major cities across the country, including Seattle.

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iSeeCars.com, an automotive search engine, said in a study of the excessive inventory of 2019 vehicles that the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area was 16th among all major U.S. cities with the highest percentage of 2019 vehicles still available. In the Puget Sound's major metropolitan area, 7.6% of 2019 vehicles were stockpiled around dealerships.

This was lower than the average of 10.8%.

The problem is in part to particular cars' popularity declining, iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly said in a news release. But the novel coronavirus pandemic is also a cause.

To read the full story from reporter Alex Halverson, click here.

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This story will be updated regularly as more information and news becomes available about the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington. To read more coverage, click here.

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