Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state from June 5-7, 2020.
Key facts:
- Seattle mayor urges anyone who participates in large protests to get tested for COVID-19
- King, Pierce, Snohomish among 14 Washington counties to enter next phase of reopening
- Six new deaths among 287 new cases reported Sunday in Washington.
- TOTAL: 1,159 deaths among 23,729 overall cases in Washington state.
- 405,056 people in Washington have taken a test for coronavirus and 5.9% of those tests have been positive, according to the state Department of Health.
Sunday, June 7
New Washington coronavirus cases
- Six new deaths among 287 new cases reported Sunday in Washington.
- TOTAL: 1,159 deaths among 23,729 overall cases in Washington state.
- 405,056 people in Washington have taken a test for coronavirus and 5.9% of those tests have been positive, according to the state Department of Health.
Officials urge protesters to get tested for coronavirus
As New York City prepared to reopen after a more than two-month coronavirus shutdown, officials on Sunday lifted a curfew that was put in place amid protests of police brutality and racial injustice. But they also urged that demonstrators be tested for COVID-19.
"Get a test. Get a test," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged people who have been participating in rallies and marches in memory of George Floyd.
The call is similar to what officials in Seattle, San Francisco and Atlanta have made following massive demonstrations, with free testing set up for protesters who may have been exposed to the virus.
If you're out protesting, officials urge you to wear a mask and social distance.
Free COVID-19 tests are being offered around the Seattle area.
World reaches 400,000 virus deaths
The confirmed global death toll from the COVID-19 virus reached at least 400,000 fatalities on Sunday, a day after the government of Brazil broke with standard public health protocols by ceasing to publish updates of the number of deaths and infections in the hard-hit South American country.
Worldwide, at least 6.9 million people have been infected by the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University, whose aggregated tally has become the main worldwide reference for monitoring the disease. Its running counter says United States leads the world with nearly 110,000 confirmed virus-related deaths. Europe as a whole has recorded more than 175,000 since the virus emerged in China late last year.
South Hill Mall reopens as Pierce County enters Phase 2
Pierce County just got the go-ahead to move into Phase 2, and Puyallup's South Hill Mall was one of the first to get their doors open on Saturday.
Mall management said even they were surprised to see shoppers waiting in the parking lot before opening time.
Only about 15-20% of the shops and food stands inside were able to get staff and supplies in time to open.
Saturday, June 6
New Washington coronavirus cases
- Four new deaths among 449 new cases reported Saturday in Washington.
- TOTAL: 1,153 deaths among 23,442 overall cases in Washington state.
- 400,588 people in Washington have taken a test for coronavirus and 5.9% of those tests have been positive, according to the state Department of Health.
Seattle mayor urges anyone who participates in large protests to get tested for COVID-19
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is urging anyone who has participated in the large demonstrations throughout Seattle over the last week to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a precaution.
Previously, testing was reserved for people showing symptoms of COVID-19, but Durkan has since changed the criteria to allow individuals who are asymptomatic to be tested if they have attended a large gathering.
On Saturday, Mayor Durkan also visited the drive-through testing facility in SODO to receive her own COVID-19 test as a precaution, since she has also been out in the streets of Seattle engaging with protesters.
“I have been hearing from community members who attended demonstrations over the past week about their concerns of COVID-19 exposure,” said Durkan. “While Public Health guidelines reserve testing for those who have symptoms, or who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 illness, I recognize that many have put themselves at risk of exposure to make their voices heard, and this expanded criteria will ensure they can get tested at City test sites.”
The new Citywide testing sites are located in north and south Seattle and operate Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and accommodate drive-thru clients who book ahead through the website. These sites are designed and intended for drive-up testing and are not ADA compliant for pedestrians.
For individuals who are experiencing symptoms or have a confirmed COVID-19 exposure, PHSKC offers many options for free COVID-19 testing at walk-up locations with ADA accommodations, please visit Public Health’s website or call 206-477-3977 for more information. Most people can access testing through their regular health care provider.
Mount Rainier National Park reopens some areas to visitors following months-long closure to help limit the spread of COVID-19
Mount Rainier National Park officials announced late Friday the Nisqually to Paradise Road in the park’s southwestern corner has reopened. This expansion provides public vehicle access to the Longmire National Historic District and to Paradise.
Park officials say limited services will be available, however, including restrooms and trailheads throughout the corridor so visitors should plan ahead.
Much of the park has been closed to visitors for months to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Expanded access is now available on the park’s east side near the White River and Ohanapecosh campgrounds for hiking and picnicking.
Campgrounds are open for day use only; overnight camping remains closed. The park’s visitor centers, hotel lodging and developed campgrounds also remain closed.
Officials say recreation on the Upper Mountain above 10,500’ elevation will open on June 19. More areas of the park are expected to reopen later this summer.
For more information on what's open and closed, click here.
14 counties moving on to next phase of reopening
Fourteen counties were approved Friday to move onto the next phase of reopening in the state's "Safe Start" plan.
Moving from Phase 1 to a modified Phase 1:
- King
Moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2:
- Clark
- Okanogan
- Pierce
- Skagit
- Snohomish
- Whatcom
Moving from Phase 2 to Phase 3:
- Columbia
- Ferry
- Garfield
- Lincoln
- Pend Oreille
- Stevens
- Wahkiakum
There are now five counties in Phase 1, one county in modified Phase 1, 26 counties in Phase 2 and seven counties in Phase 3.
Businesses operating in Phase 3 must create a safety plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep it on their premises.
Friday, June 5:
Twenty-five crew members of American Seafoods vessels test positive for COVID-19, docked in Bellingham
The Whatcom County Health Department has reported that 25 crew members on two American Seafoods vessels docked in Washington state tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Bellingham Herald reported Thursday that fishery company American Seafoods announced crew members on the American Triumph and the Northern Jaeger were being tested for COVID-19 as a precaution after docking in Bellingham to offload product Wednesday. Health officials say the crew members will be isolated at the county’s quarantine facility in Bellingham.
The announcement came less than a week after the company said 86 crew members on a separate commercial fishing vessel tested positive for COVID-19.
The latest coronavirus numbers in Washington state
The Washington Department of Health reported eleven new deaths from coronavirus among 264 new cases as of Friday. The total is now 1,149 deaths among 22,993 overall cases statewide.
A total of 390,863 people in Washington have taken a test for coronavirus and 5.9% of those tests have been positive, according to the state Department of Health.
UW Medicine hospitals reduces COVID-19 patients
UW Medicine reported Friday the lowest number of patients hospitalized with coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
A couple UW Medicine hospitals have zero or one COVID-19 patient, and there are 18 across the system, according to Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine hospitals and clinics.
South Hill Mall to reopen
The South Hill Mall in Puyallup is expected to reopen Saturday with modifications.
A spokesperson says many stores will do curbside pickup, employees will wear face coverings and cleaning practices will be "intensified."
The mall will be open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Guidance issued for pro sports during reopening
Professional sports activities, including back office operations, full team practices and spectator-less games, can resume Friday, June 5 as long as they follow certain restrictions outlined in guidance issued by Gov. Jay Inslee.
These activities can begin regardless of phase if organizations follow a safety plan and report a practice and game schedule to county health officials. A league-wide plan must also be approved by the players' union.
Safety plans must include social distancing, providing personal protective equipment, frequent handwashing and screening sick employees.
Outdoor youth and adult recreational sports teams can also resume in Phase 2 and 3. Counties in Phase 2 can hold team practices in groups of five or fewer with social distancing. Counties in Phase 3 can resume games, but the gathering can't exceed 50 people.
Seattle Opera cancels first opera of 2020-21 season
Seattle Opera canceled Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana, the first opera of its upcoming season.
The cancellation will impact 220 artists, musicians and crew, according to the opera company. The opera will also furlough 55% of administrative staff later this month when its Paycheck Protection Program loan runs out.
Seattle Opera says it cannot begin rehearsals and pre-production work with social distancing restrictions still in place.
Free coronavirus testing will be expanded in North and South Seattle
Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and other local officials announced a new partnership with UW Medicine to advance widespread testing across the city of Seattle, starting Friday.
Seattle and UW Medicine aim to expand to 1,600 tests a day, Durkan said.
Clients will not be charged for the testing, and will not receive a bill. Beginning Friday, two drive-up testing sites will be available at two former emissions facilities, one in the north end at 12040 Aurora Ave. N., and in the south end in SoDo at 3820 6th Ave. S.
The testing will be available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The city already has testing sites set up throughout the city, including in downtown Seattle and Rainier Beach and several other locations.
People will have to sign up through the city of Seattle’s COVID-19 resource page at www.seattle.gov/covid-19.
City officials outlined how to sign up for the testing and what to expect in a briefing on Thursday afternoon: