Recap of Today’s COVID-19 News and Updates

Now more than ever. Stay home. Stay healthy: While the weather is great and the curve is flattening, it's only happening because what Washingtonians are doing is working and we need people to keep up the good work, be consistent and stay home! It's saving lives.

View Gov. Jay Inslee's “A critical caveat” video on our social channels:

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Medium

Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 8, there are 9,608 cases of COVID-19 in Washington state. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more.

Confirmed Cases and ICU Use Reported by Hospitals: Today, the Department of Health added hospital reporting data on the number of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to hospitals, including the number of patients admitted to intensive care units. The number of hospitals reporting varies on a day to day basis, so counts are not directly comparable from day to day.

Data are provided through partnerships with Northwest Healthcare Response Network, for western Washington, the Regional Emergency and Disaster (REDi) Healthcare Coalition, for eastern Washington, and the Region IV Healthcare Preparedness Alliance, for southwest Washington, and the Washington State Hospital Association. For more information, visit here. 

Commerce announces $5 million emergency response grant for tribes: The Washington State Department of Commerce announced $5 million in emergency grants is now available to the 29 federally recognized tribes in the state to bolster their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each tribal government will receive an immediate grant of $100,000, with the remaining $2.1 million distributed based on a formula currently under development between Commerce and tribal leaders.

More information about the grants is posted here on Commerce’s website, under the “COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant for Tribal Governments” section.

Talking to kids about school staying closed: The Department of Health published a blog today with tips on helping you and your kids navigate this stressful time.

Nuevo podcast en Español de BienestarWA: The Department of Health started a new podcast to discuss emergent public health issues here (audio and transcript available). Today’s podcast discussed the following topics:

1. What is currently happening in Washington state with the response to the new coronavirus (COVID-19)?
2. What if you can't pay your mortgage or rent?
3. How do we manage stress during the pandemic?

Maintaining Employee Health Insurance Coverage: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is encouraging all health insurers to work with employers who want to keep their employees on their health plans and is expediting review of any changes to eligibility requirements.  Washington state’s Health Benefit Exchange has opened a special enrollment period through May 8. Individuals looking for coverage should call the exchange at 855-923-4633. Depending on their financial situation, they could qualify for reduced premium or free coverage. For more information click here.

Washington Health Benefit Exchange Reminds Individuals Health Insurance Options available through Healthplanfinder: Washington Health Benefit Exchange today is reminding individuals impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Washington that the original special enrollment period is extended through May 8, 2020, with coverage beginning May 1, 2020.

Individuals who are currently uninsured can contact an Exchange certified Navigator, Broker or Enrollment Center to start the special enrollment process. These insurance experts are available by phone and can also answer any questions consumers may have and help them get enrolled. Consumers can find local experts using the WAPlanfinder Mobile App or visiting here.

L&I issues guidance to help grocery stores keep workers safe during pandemic: The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued specific guidance for the grocery and retail industry to go along with previously released general guidance for workplaces.

The nature of the outbreak changes daily and it’s important for the public and employers to stay on top of the most current information. L&I has launched a COVID-19 webpage with links to helpful information and resources. The department also recommends the federal OSHA workplace guidance to help employers prepare and deal with the outbreak.