Coronavirus updates: State expects schools to open this fall; Pierce County reports 12 cases, 1 death
This page includes coronavirus developments around Washington state for Friday, June 12.
STATE AUDITOR TO REVIEW UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM FOLLOWING FRAUDULENT CLAIMS
Updated 4 p.m.
The Washington State Auditor’s office announced earlier this week it will review the state’s Unemployment Insurance system after fraudulent filings flooded the system already overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wednesday statement said the audit will focus on “two special examinations of the significant fraud and loss of public funds at the state Employment Security Department.”
One review will be a performance audit, the announcement said, which will examine what led to delayed and improper payments for unemployment benefits.
The second review will be an information technology audit, which will look for possible weaknesses in the computer systems.
“Everyone recognizes these problems came at the worst possible time, when the need for essential unemployment benefits was unprecedented,” Auditor Pat McCarthy said in the statement. “Our role at the State Auditor’s Office is to conduct independent reviews, and I have directed my staff to look in areas that will provide the public and state leaders with a greater understanding of how needed benefits were stolen and delayed.”
ESD estimates more than $500 million in fraudulent claims were paid out, and $333 million of those payments have been recovered.
The department set a goal in May to clear out 57,125 claims still in adjudication. As of June 8, 35,400 claims were still in adjudication.
“I know the Employment Security Department is working hard to deliver benefits to people who need them, help law enforcement track down the criminals who stole funds and recover lost funds,” McCarthy said. “Beyond the immediate crisis, however, there are clearly lessons to be learned, and we intend to bring them to light.”
PIERCE COUNTY REPORTS 12 NEW CASES, 1 DEATH
Updated 2 p.m.
Pierce County reported 12 new COVID-19 cases and one death Friday.
The county’s totals are now at 2,093 cases and 83 deaths.
There have been 12.6 new cases per 100,000 residents during the past 14 days, the county health department website says.
Daily case totals can change as the county receives new information about cases, finds duplicate data or is assigned cases originally attributed to other counties.
There have been 32,258 tests conducted in the county with positive results at 6.4%, according to the state Department of Health.
That total does not include negative tests from long-term care facilities or the 82,000 tests not yet assigned to a county.
Friday’s geographical case totals are listed below with Thursday’s totals in parentheses:
▪ Bonney Lake: 48 (no change)
▪ Central Pierce County: 148 (147)
▪ East Pierce County: 58 (no change)
▪ Edgewood/Fife/Milton: 96 (94)
▪ Frederickson: 70 (no change)
▪ Gig Harbor area: 55 (no change)
▪ Graham: 69 (70)
▪ JBLM: No longer reported
▪ Key Peninsula: 7 (no change)
▪ Lake Tapps/Sumner area: 53 (52)
▪ Lakewood: 216 (no change)
▪ Parkland: 129 (128)
▪ Puyallup: 148 (no change)
▪ South Hill: 107 (106)
▪ South Pierce County: 40 (39)
▪ Southwest Pierce County: 22 (no change)
▪ Spanaway: 68 (66)
▪ Tacoma: 674 (670)
▪ University Place: 73 (no change)
▪ Unknown: 12 (no change)
Daily reports include cases received by 11:59 p.m. the previous day.
MOST SCHOOLS EXPECTED TO RETURN IN-PERSON IN FALL WITH NEW SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE
Updated 9 a.m.
According to guidance released by the state Thursday, most students in Washington are likely to return to school in the fall, but with COVID-19 precautions — such as facial covering requirements and social distancing measures — in place.
In the state’s 55-page document, state Superintendent Chris Reykdal said his expectation is that “schools will open this fall for in-person instruction.”
“We’re coming back — where it’s safe to do so with all protocols in place,” Reykdal said during a press conference Thursday.
The guidance applies to all K-12 public and private schools in the state, regardless of what phase the school’s county is in, the document says.
School districts that are unable to meet social distancing requirements due to space constraints are given additional options for split or rotating schedules, phased-in opening or continued remote learning.
Districts are required to adopt plans for reopening through local board resolutions.
The document offers extensive guidance on social distancing practices schools can implement, like moving desks farther apart, staggering class dismissal times to reduce hallway traffic, eating lunch in classrooms instead of a cafeteria or common area, or eating at staggered times.
It also suggests implementing staggered drop-off and pick-up times or installing one-way traffic areas to keep families at least 6 feet apart when arriving at or leaving schools.
Standard health practices for all staff and students, such as checking for signs or illness, staying home when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, are also discussed in the document.
All are encouraged to frequently wash hands, and face coverings will be required for staff, students and guests with some exceptions for those with specific health concerns.
“We expect districts to work out locally how students are provided a face covering,” Reykdal said Thursday.
SOUNDERS GROUP ANNOUNCED FOR ‘MLS IS BACK’ TOURNAMENT
Updated 8:30 a.m.
MLS announced earlier this week it will return to the field on July 8 with a tournament featuring all 26 clubs that will compete at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida.
The clubs will be split into six groups — the Seattle Sounders are the top seed in Group B, which also includes FC Dallas, the Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes — for the opening stage, which begins July 8.
The knockout stages will begin July 25. The championship match will be held Aug. 11.
Find a rundown of the tournament format and groupings here.
MARINERS SELECT 3 PITCHERS, 3 POSITION PLAYERS IN SHORTENED DRAFT
Updated 8:30 a.m.
While the 2020 MLB Draft was much shorter than usual — five rounds instead of the usual 40 due to the COVID-19 pandemic — the Seattle Mariners still jumped on the opportunity to add some intriguing prospects to their already thriving farm system.
Seattle had six picks during the two-day draft, including the No. 6 overall pick and four in the top 100, and selected an even mix of pitchers and position players.
“We do think we’ve made some impact across our organization, which is going to continue to add to what we’ve been doing over the last few years,” director of amateur scouting Scott Hunter said during a Zoom call with reporters after the Mariners wrapped up their picks Thursday.
Here’s who the Mariners picked:
▪ RHP Emerson Hancock, Georgia (Round 1, No. 6 overall)
▪ OF Zach DeLoach, Texas A&M (2, 43)
▪ RHP Connor Phillips, Texas’ McLennan Community College (Competitive Balance B, 64)
▪ 2B Kaden Polcovich, Oklahoma State (3, 78)
▪ 3B Tyler Keenan, Ole Miss (4, 107)
▪ RHP Taylor Dollard, Cal Poly (5, 137)
For a full rundown of Seattle’s new additions, visit The News Tribune’s 2020 MLB Draft tracker.
PIERCE TRANSIT FREE BUS RIDES ENDING SOON
Updated 8 a.m.
Pierce Transit, which has waived fares during the COVID-19 pandemic, will reinstate, will reinstate bus and shuttle route fares June 14.
Fares will return to regular rates, agency spokesperson Rebecca Japhet said in a release.
Passengers are still encouraged to wear facial coverings when using Pierce Transit services, though they will now be able to enter through the front doors of buses where clear shields separate operators from riders. Some seats remain marked to promote social distancing, and passenger numbers will continue to be limited. Riders will be asked to exit buses through the rear doors.
“Follow-behind buses are running on busy routes whenever possible to pick up extra passengers,” Japhet said.
The Bus Shop at Tacoma Dome Station is open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekdays, and riders can reach Pierce Transit’s customer service operators by phone at 253-581-8000 from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on weekdays.
STATE REPORTS 137 NEW CASES, 4 DEATHS
Updated 8 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Health reported 137 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths Thursday.
Statewide totals have reached 24,779 cases and 1,194 deaths, up from 24,642 cases and 1,190 deaths Wednesday.
King County remains the hardest hit with 8,550 cases and 583 deaths, while Yakima County has 4,988 cases and 112 deaths and Snohomish County has 3,075 cases and 156 deaths.
Pierce County reported six new cases Thursday, bringing its totals to 2,082 cases and 82 deaths.
Eighteen of the state’s 39 counties have reported more than 100 cases, and 11 counties have reported at least 10 virus-related deaths.
Garfield, the state’s least populous county, remains the only county without a reported case. Six other counties are reporting fewer than 10 cases each.
There are 20 cases that have not been assigned to a county.
There were 15 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to state hospitals on May June 3, the most recent date with complete data. The total number of people who have been hospitalized in the state stood at 3,772 on Thursday.
There have been 425,212 tests conducted in the state with 5.8% coming back positive.
The test numbers reflect only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are given to patients while the virus is presumably still active in the body.
This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 8:02 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: State expects schools to open this fall; Pierce County reports 12 cases, 1 death."
