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Home , September 25

September 25, 2020

Snohomish Health District updates: COVID website refresh, data, and testing The Snohomish Health District has rolled out a refreshed look for its COVID webpages. The homepage at www.snohd.org and COVID pages were updated to make it easier to find the most visited content on the site. In addition, www.snohd.org/covid, www.snohd.org/testing and www.snohd.org/casecounts were created as shortcuts so people can find the key pages more quickly. Data Updates On Monday, the Health District released the new snapshot and weekly report aligned with the Safe Start metrics, with data through 12. Updated case counts published Monday thru Friday now have a new column showing the change in confirmed and probable cases since the previous update. Wednesday’s update showed an increase of approximately 200 new probable cases. This was the result of an integration from the old reporting system to the new CREST system rolled out by the Washington State Department of Health in . The final reconciliation needed to be done by hand and then verified before inclusion. As a reminder, probable cases are not included in the rolling case rate or target metrics. The Health District has also created three new maps that were published on Friday: • A heat map of all cases since 21 • A heat map of all cases during the two-week period from to • Case rates by zip code during the two-week period from August 23 to September 5 While all guidance and threshold decisions are based on county-level case rates, these new maps do provide some additional insight over time and more recently. The Health District will be publishing these every two weeks, with the next update of the maps tentatively scheduled for Monday, 5. Numbers are continuing to trend downward, however that decrease has plateaued in Snohomish County. As schools begin to slowly bring back students, it is critical that people remember to wear face coverings, keep six feet apart, and avoid large gatherings. The opportunity for students to have stable, in-person learning is dependent on everyone’s actions in this respect. Drive-Thru Testing Testing will continue at the 3900 Broadway site in Everett next week, with the Health District operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. With daylight hours decreasing, and testing volumes seen earlier in the day, the Health District will no longer be offering evening testing appointments. In addition to the Everett site, the Health District will also be offering testing at the Lynnwood Food Bank on Tuesday, . Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5320 176th St SW. For a step-by-step look at the Health District’s drive-thru testing, check out a new video release this week: https://youtu.be/5tmSEPt5Nis Testing remains strongly encouraged for individuals that fit the following criteria: • Anyone with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea); or • Close contact of a confirmed case; or • Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting; or • Work in healthcare, EMS, law enforcement or other fields where work settings have a higher risk of catching or spreading COVID-19; or • Part of a family or social network that has had a case. Registration is now open at www.snohd.org/testing. Insurance information is collected and the lab will bill insurance. There are no co-pays for COVID-19 testing through the Health District. If you do not have insurance, the test will be provided at no charge. A new phone line has been established for test registration help, particularly those without internet access or needing language interpreter services. That number is 425.258.8425, with calls returned from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Read the full press release here.

Language services for COVID testing available Do you know someone who needs language services for COVID testing? There are partners in Snohomish County to help! You can find out more about where to schedule an appointment with them at the new testing information table on our website: https://www.snohd.org/549/Additional-Testing-Resources. This is not an exhaustive list of all testing options that provide language services. Please note that offerings at testing sites may change, so always check with the testing provider.

New social media series helps identify whether symptoms are cold, flu, or COVID

As we enter the cold and flu season, the Joint Information Center has developed a series of social media posts and videos aimed at helping identify whether symptoms are a cold, the flu, or COVID. The first in the series was posted today. Find the full Cold, Flu or COVID informational graphic and learn more about signs and symptoms or exposure to COVID under the “COVID-19 Health Info” button at www.snohd.org/covid. Facebook Twitter

Snohomish County PUD is ready for storm season and potential power outages With stormy weather forecast for the latter part of the week, Snohomish County PUD is prepared to respond quickly to power outages and minimize disruptions to its customers. The PUD will be taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees and customers during the ongoing pandemic. “Our employees have worked tirelessly to maintain reliability throughout the COVID pandemic,” said John Haarlow, PUD CEO/GM. “We will continue to respond to outages in a timely manner that puts safety paramount during the upcoming storm season.” Because of extra safety precautions, storm restoration may take additional time. PUD line crews are practicing social distancing when able to in the field, wearing fire-resistant face coverings and sanitizing equipment and tools between each use. With more customers working from home during the pandemic, it’s important to remember to be prepared for potential outages. Customers should make sure to have a supply of non-perishable food and water available, and flashlights and a radio with charged batteries ready. Customers can visit www.snopud.com/winterprep to learn what to put in an easily assembled emergency kit that will help them get through an extended outage. Also, make sure cell phones are charged and bookmark the PUD’s Outage Map at www.snopud.com/outagemap. For more information on storm preparation and to track and report power outages, visit the PUD’s Outage Map at www.snopud.com/outagemap. Customers can also report outages by calling 425-783-1001.

Edmonds announces Sunset Avenue reopening to traffic and parking Sept. 25th Sunset Avenue North has been closed to through traffic and parking since to provide more social distancing along a temporary, wider pathway in this popular walking and viewing location. With the cooler, wetter weather fall brings, the City will now return the street to its previous configuration. The barricades and cones used to designate the temporary pathway and the parking restrictions will be removed by City staff on Friday, Sept. 25. At that time all of the marked parking that was available prior to April will be restored. The variable message board sign will remain for at least two more weeks to remind everyone using Sunset to continue to mask-up and maintain appropriate social distances (greater than 6-feet), in accordance with current CDC, State Health, and County Health guidelines. We received a many positive comments about the temporary expansion of the walkway. We also heard from a fair number of people who wanted the parking restored. With the changing of seasons, the number of people walking will drop and the wider pathway is no longer needed.

Mill Creek to give out free face coverings Tuesday, Sept. 29 The City of Mill Creek is aiming to help our community make sure they always have a mask to wear. The city Recreation Department will be holding a drive through mask distribution where they will be giving away free, reusable fabric masks. The give-a-way will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the City Hall North parking lot (15720 Main Street, Mill Creek, WA.) Limit two masks per member of each household.

City of Snohomish COVID-19 utility support and rent relief program applications due Sept. 30 Applications for the City of Snohomish Utility Support and Rent Relief Grant Program are due no later than Sept. 30, 2020. Eligible residents may apply for a one-time, not to exceed $500 non-refundable credit, either applied directly to the resident’s water and sewer account or, if City utility costs are included in the resident’s rent payment, sent to their landlord. Rent relief grants are only offered to residents that don’t receive any other type of housing assistance. The Snohomish City Council approved $100,000 for this program. Applications will be accepted as long as funds are available but no later than , 2020. Only one application per residential address will be accepted. To apply visit: https://www.snohomishwa.gov/713/COVID-19-Utility-Assistance

Applications for Lynnwood’s second round of Small Business Relief Grants due Sept. 27 Applications for Lynnwood’s second round of Small Business Grants are due no later than 4 p.m., Sept. 27. Lynnwood City Council unanimously approved the allocation of an additional $300,000 of the City's federal CARES Act funding to be put towards a business relief program to provide economic support to our local small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. In order to be eligible for the City of Lynnwood Small Business Relief Grant, the following eligibility requirements must be met: • For-profit businesses with a physical (brick and mortar) location in the City of Lynnwood • Been in operation and licensed with the City of Lynnwood since , 2019 • Have a current City of Lynnwood Business License • 10 or less employees, including the owner • Ability to demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenues due to COVID-19 • Businesses who did not receive a Lynnwood Small Business Relief Grant in Round 1 For more information or to apply online visit: www.LynnwoodWA.gov/SmallBusinessGrant

Deadline to apply for EASC emergency business grants is Sept. 28 Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) will accept applications for emergency grants up to $10,000 each, intended to cover a variety of expenses associated with the impact of COVID-19. For-profit businesses located in Snohomish County with up to 20 employees, especially those in unincorporated areas of the county, are encouraged to apply. Funding comes from the States’ Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program, including Federal Coronavirus Assistance, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds. A pool of $580,000 is dedicated to businesses in Snohomish County. EASC will accept applications through Sept. 28, 2020. For additional details and to apply, visit https://www.economicalliancesc.org/grant/.

State announces new COVID relief funds to support nonprofits helping youth The need for youth programs that provide learning, mentoring and social-emotional support to students and young adults has never been greater, but COVID-19 has significantly impacted the ability of many nonprofits to keep their doors open. The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with School’s Out Washington to distribute approximately $9 million in state Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to respond to the impact of COVID-19 by supporting programs serving school age kids and young adults facing the most significant challenges to educational and economic opportunity. Working with stakeholders and partnering with local organizations, School’s Out Washington developed application criteria and will award grants between $10,000 - $50,000, based on the organization’s 2019 budget. Priority consideration will be given to programs that serve youth with lower access to educational opportunity and whose leaders are reflective of the populations they serve. A call for reviewers from communities around the state is needed to evaluate proposals on a regional basis to make awards by 2020. More details regarding this opportunity, and how to apply for a grant or to become a reviewer, are available at: http://youthdevrelief.schoolsoutwashington.org/

Looking to get or renew licensing from the Department of Licensing? Check online first The coronavirus pandemic forced Washington residents to develop scores of new habits. What’s one more? If you’re used to visiting a driver licensing office for your service needs, it’s time to try something different: online services. These days, the only way to get into a Department of Licensing office is with an appointment. But with social distancing and other safety measures limiting our capacity, appointments fill quickly. Appointments are for customers who cannot complete their transaction any other way, such as online, by phone, or by mail. To ensure residents with urgent needs — think identification for meds or employment, not an enhanced upgrade — can get an appointment, we’re asking those with non-urgent requests to go online, hold off, or find another way until the health emergency is over. Read the new blog post about the many services DOL now offers online. DOL also encourages you to cancel your appointment if you have made one and no longer need it.

Unemployment in Snohomish County continues to decline Unemployment claims in Snohomish County dropped 3% during the week of through , from 2,056 to 1,986 the state Employment Security Department said Thursday. Statewide there were 19,574 initial regular unemployment claims, up 6.4% from the prior week. The state paid out more than $154.5 million for 337,390 individual total claims – a decrease of $2.8 million and 2,963 less individuals compared to the prior week. Read the full release here.

Commerce partners with 20 community-based organizations statewide to provide technical assistance and other resources to underserved small businesses affected by COVID-19 Small business owners now have more places to seek culturally and linguistically relevant help for dealing with COVID-19, thanks to expansion of the Small Business Resiliency Assistance program announced today by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed numerous disparities and inequities that affect the ability of many communities to access everything from health care to worker protections to broadband. Access to culturally and linguistically relevant information is another significant challenge. While numerous aid and grant programs are available to help businesses, non-English speaking and business owners of color are far less likely to receive information about those programs even as they face disproportionately higher rates of closure. Commerce now lists 20 partner organizations statewide providing targeted technical assistance, business coaching and other services to minority-owned small business owners who need help identifying and accessing sources of local, state and federal funding and other resources available to them. The program is enabled in part by state Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. Read the full release here.

Inslee issues guidance for miscellaneous venues, new standards for Washington airports Gov. Jay Inslee today issued guidance for miscellaneous venues, including convention/conference centers, designated meeting spaces in hotels, events centers and other similar venues as part of Washington's Safe Start phased reopening plan. Miscellaneous venues The guidance allows business meetings, professional development training and testing, and substantially similar activities to occur away from business premises and with additional attendees, as long as all requirements are met. Read the full guidance document here, and the associated memo here. Find a full list of all reopening guidance here. Airports Gov. Jay Inslee announced that Washington is setting new requirements for commercial airports and recommendations for airlines. The new Commercial Service Airport Requirements are a statewide approach to the COVID pandemic to ensure the health and safety of employees, passengers and crewmembers working and traveling to and from the state’s aviation sector. This approach encompasses setting baseline requirements at each commercial passenger service airport and encourages airlines to adopt certain health screening questionnaires. The guidance will require face coverings in the airport; signage and spacing for physical distancing; protective barriers between travelers and workers; sanitizer and disinfectant protocols; and that airport vendors and businesses follow state and county health agency requirements. It also strongly encourages airlines to establish health screening questionnaires for passengers regarding potential COVID-19 exposure or symptoms, and to require passengers abide by face covering and physical distancing requirements in order to be issued a boarding pass. Read the full story on the governor's Medium site.

Confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Snohomish County Case counts as of September 25, 2020.

ESSENTIAL LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION • Snohomish Health District • Snohomish County • Snohomish County COVID-19 Response & Community Resource Hub • Washington State • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Snohomish County COVID-19 Phone Line: 425-388-3944 • Línea telefónica COVID-19 del condado de Snohomish: 425-388-7120 • Washington State COVID-19 Hotline: Call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help