US: Officials to launch region-based system to monitor COVID-19 activity and impose restrictions in Washington State, starting Jan. 11 /update 18

Event

Officials in Washington State will launch a new region-based system Jan. 11, which will monitor coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity and hospitalizations at the local level, and impose restrictions based on such metrics. All regions will start on Phase 1, the most restrictive level of the new system, Jan. 11 and the level of restrictions will be analyzed weekly.

The system will divide the state into eight regions, each containing several counties, and will impose restrictions based on COVID-19 activity within each region:

Central: King, Pierce, Snohomish
East: Adams, Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman
North: Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom
North Central: Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan
Northwest: Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason
South Central: Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Yakima
Southwest: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, Wahkiakum
West: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, Thurston

There will be two levels of restrictions, the more restrictive Phase 1, and the less restrictive and Phase 2. A region will move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 if it has gone two weeks with decreasing cases of COVID-19, decreasing admissions in hospitals over COVID-19 infections, and ICU occupancy in hospitals of less than 90-percent capacity.

Under Phase 1, social and at-home gatherings indoors are prohibited, and social gatherings outdoors are allowed with up to 10 people. Retail stores, personal care businesses, and indoor worship services may operate at a 25-percent capacity; professional services can also open at 25-percent capacity but workers are encouraged to maintain telework. Indoor dining at restaurants is banned, while outdoor dining is allowed with a maximum of six people from two different households per table; food establishments must close nightly by 2300. Bars that do not serve food must remain closed. Gyms may operate by appointment only, with one customer per room or one customer per every 46 square meters (500 square feet) in large establishments. Low-risk sports are permitted for practices and training only. General admission to indoor entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, arenas, and museums, is prohibited; private tours for individual households of more than six people are allowed. Outdoor entertainment venues may open for groups of 10 people or fewer from a maximum of two households.

In Phase 2, social indoor gatherings with up to five people are allowed, while outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people are allowed. Retail stores, worship services, and personal care businesses must continue operating at a 25-percent capacity, and indoor dining is allowed also at a 25-percent capacity, closing nightly at 2300. Gyms and fitness centers and indoor entertainment centers may also operate at a 25-percent capacity, and outdoor entertainment venues may allow up to 200 people in groups of 15.

Additionally, travel restrictions for individuals entering from the UK or South Africa due to the new variant strain of COVID-19 remain in place until further notice. Under the current directives, travelers entering Washington State from those two countries, or people who have been in any of those two countries in the previous 14 days, must self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. These individuals may only leave their 14-day quarantine to seek medical assistance or to obtain medications or other essential supplies. They are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test seven days after arriving in Washington. The list of countries affected by these restrictions may expand to other countries or territories if authorities find the new COVID-19 variant in additional territories. Officials in Washington State also continue to encourage any out-of-state visitor to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.