Pandemic blog: Washington hospitals strained by the wave of Covid

New updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Seattle and Washington state.

According to data from the King County and Washington State Departments of Health, as of Monday, January 10, 2021:

• +18,793 new cases since Friday in King County. That’s + 88% over the last seven days.
• +255 new hospitalizations since Friday in King County. That’s a 110% increase over the past seven days.
• 77.6% of King County residents are fully immunized.
• 10,004 deaths linked to Covid-19 in Washington state; 1.1% death rate since the start of the pandemic.

MONDAY JANUARY 10

2 Washington state senators tested positive for Covid on the eve of the session

As legislative sessions began on Monday, at least two members of the Legislative Assembly tested positive for Covid-19.

They include Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, a Democrat from Spokane, and Senator John Lovick of Mill Creek, also a Democrat.

In statements, the two said they were fully vaccinated, had received their boosters and had mild symptoms.

“I’m thankful that I was vaccinated and boosted, which I know kept me from having any significant symptoms,” Billig said.

Senators will still be able to participate remotely in the opening week of the session. In fact, this is how most lawmakers will get involved – at least to begin with – due to the current push from omicron.

– Derek Wang

Covid staff force Lake Washington High School online

It’s the return to online learning for the students of Lake Washington High School.

The district announced that the change would last at least until January 18, in part because the school faces numerous staff shortages linked to Covid.

The decision was made at the district level, given the pandemic conditions, according to a letter to parents from Dr John Holmen, superintendent of the Lake Washington School District.

“To be clear, this is not a case where the health department dictates the shutdown due to an outbreak on campus. This decision is made by our district due to our inability to operate the safe school due to the lack of so many staff and the number of unfilled sub-positions. “

Dr Holmen also said the goal is to keep the in-person learning going, but there are currently too many absences for the district to cover. In the meantime, the affected personnel will be in quarantine.

– Angela King

Seattle Elementary School cancels classes

No in-person or online learning on Tuesdays for students at Kimball Elementary School in Seattle.

Elementary school staff threatened to hold one sick on Tuesday because they said they couldn’t handle all the students when so many of their colleagues are absent due to Covid.

They called on the district to switch to online learning until the pandemic situation improves, but the district has decided to cancel classes so administrators can determine what to do next.

The pandemic has led to current staff shortages in western Washington, causing a shortage of replacements. Some schools resort to sending students to the gymnasium or auditorium if they do not have a teacher.

– Ann Dornfeld

UW offers online and in-person courses in light of Omicron

Some UW students are back in class on Tuesday after starting the winter term online last week.

The rise in Covid cases has prompted the online start. Now, the University of Washington says it will give instructors the option to continue teaching online until Jan. 28. If they are hosting classes in person, they should also offer an online option.

Washington State University had to cancel classes Tuesday and Wednesday due to heavy snowfall. He will then resume his usual schedule.

– Angela King

New vaccination clinic opens in Seattle

The city of Seattle and Virginia Mason opened a new Covid vaccination clinic on Tuesday.

The new vaccination site is located in the Virginia Mason’s Health and Resources building (909 University Street, Seattle)

The new site will be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will supply the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

The plan is to give up to 1,000 doses of the vaccine every day.

The city says it is also expanding its mobile vaccination capacity through pop-up clinics with the Othello pharmacy.

Remember that you can also get the vaccine at the Rainier Beach and West Seattle sites, if you can find an open appointment.

– Angela King

Read previous updates here