Highly contagious coronavirus variant found in Washington

Two cases of the new coronavirus variant found in the United Kingdom have been detected in Snohomish County, state health officials announced Saturday. The variant spreads more easily and more quickly than the original strain.

Through mid-day Saturday there were 1,987 coronavirus cases reported in Washington, bringing the state total to 300,198. There have been 4,114 deaths and 17,128 people hospitalized, according to the state Dept. of Health. On Friday, there were 2,174 COVID-19 cases and 49 deaths reported in the state. On

Thursday there were 2,223 cases and 125 deaths from COVID-19 in Washington.

Governor, First Lady Vaccinated for COVID-19

Gov. Jay Inslee and First Lady Trudi Inslee received their first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. They received their doses in front of journalists while the cameras rolled to promote the safety of the vaccine and to encourage anyone who is eligible to make an appointment to be vaccinated.

The governor and Mrs. Inslee are both 69 years old, making them eligible for the vaccine along with any other state residents over the age of 65.

"It's a scientific miracle that we have this safe, comfortable, efficacious vaccine so quickly," the governor said after being vaccinated. "These things normally take years to develop. And to have this, that we know is safe, that we know works, that can not only help yourself but your family and everybody around you, it's just incredible."

The available COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna both require two doses several weeks apart to be most effective for those receiving it. The governor and Mrs. Inslee expect to have their second doses in the coming weeks.

Those who receive the vaccine are still encouraged to wear masks, stay socially distant and wash their hands regularly. For information on who is eligible to get vaccinated right now and where to find locations offering the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the state Dept. of Health website.

Inslee Extends 26 Emergency Proclamations

Gov. Jay Inslee issued extensions of 26 emergency proclamations last Tuesday, which were extended by the Legislature Jan. 15 with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8402.

The proclamations cover a broad range of statutory waivers that support state and local services during the COVID pandemic, including those necessary to support long term care and behavioral health facilities, to provide access to government, to provide relief from tax penalties and fees, and to protect federal stimulus payments from collection for consumer debt.

These emergency orders are effective throughout the state of emergency, unless rescinded by the governor or the Legislature, whichever occurs first.

The extended proclamations are as follows: Department of Licensing, Department of Revenue - Relief from Penalties, Fees, Interest, Due Dates, Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services, Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act, Unemployment Benefit - Job Search Requirement, Division of Child, Youth, and Families - Child Care and Background Checks, Department of Health- Health Care Workers, Department of Health- Health Care Facilities and Hand Sanitizer, Department of Licensing - License and Permit Renewal Extension, Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources Division - Annual Leave and Pay Procedures, Nursing Home Transfer or Discharge for COVID-19 Cohorting Purposes, Protection Orders and Personal Service, Department of Licensing - CDL Health Certificates and Other Requirements, Garnishments and Accrual of Interest, Community Associations Meetings and Late Fees, Statewide Orders Relating to Long-Term Care, Tribal Fuel Tax Refund Restrictions, Temporary Licensing - Dental and Pharmacy Graduates, Public Records Act - Contact Tracing - Personal Information, Long Term Care - Workers, Facilities, and Resources, Long-Term Care - Operations and Visitation, Residency for Tuition Waivers, Behavioral Health Association, Children's Long-Term Inpatient Program and Residential Treatment Facilities - Operations and Visitation, Employment Security Department- Lump Sum Retirement Benefits, Delaying Implementation of RCW 70A.530.020 - Single-Use Plastic Bags, and Delaying Repeal of RCW 26.10.

Widespread Vaccine Distribution

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Jan. 18 an updated statewide vaccine distribution and administration plan to increase the number of Washingtonians vaccinated and establish infrastructure capable of mass vaccinations in the coming months. With the expanded vaccine distribution system, the state set a goal of vaccinating 45,000 Washingtonians per day.

Included in the plan is the Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center, a new statewide public-private partnership to boost vaccine distribution efforts. The collaboration includes Washington corporations, labor unions, health care groups and government entities.

"This is a massive effort, and as noble as any cause will be in 2021: Because this is the year we choose to get vaccinated, Washington," Inslee said during a press conference Monday. "We are removing as many impediments as possible to Washingtonians getting vaccinated, we are going to deliver every dose that comes into our state. We will still be dependent on the federal government for doses, but we are doing everything we can once it gets here."

Inslee to Ramp Up Vaccination

Acknowledging lagging coronavirus vaccine distribution, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a public-private partnership that he said would speed up the process by creating new vaccination sites, mobilize thousands of workers and make everyone in Washington 65 and over immediately eligible.

COVID-19 Hits Latinos

COVID-19 spikes fourfold among Washington's Latinos, and it's reaching almost every corner of the population. Amid the deadliest wave of the pandemic yet, the coronavirus is hitting Latinos harder than ever -- far more than whites. And the disparate impact is almost nowhere as pronounced as in Washington state.