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Blogs

Expanded Testing and Contact Tracing Key to Safe Reopening of Businesses

Expanded Testing and Contact Tracing Key to Safe Reopening of Businesses

May 26, 2020

A key component to Governor Jay Inslee’s Safe Start Washington Recovery Plan to safely reopen businesses is to increase testing of anyone with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms and notify close contacts of those who test positive for the disease. A close contact is defined as anyone who was around the positive person, while infectious, for a prolonged period of time (defined as being within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes). These are typically household members, coworkers, classmates, or people who you may have interacted with socially. The process of identifying, testing, and treating close contacts is known as contact tracing. Testing and contact tracing are critical to “box in the virus” and prevent it from spreading to others in the community.

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What’s Your Why for Staying Home?

What’s Your Why for Staying Home?

May 06, 2020

On May 1, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee extended Washington’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order through the end of May to minimize the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). He also shared his Safe Start Washington plan to safely resume recreational, social and business activities in phases. Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks and movement to the next phase will depend on different data sources to assess the impact of the disease in communities.

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Fight to End Hunger During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fight to End Hunger During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 22, 2020

Maintaining a stable food supply is a critical public health issue in the battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Around the state, food banks are reporting an increased demand for food due to record-breaking unemployment and lack of financial resources. To compound the problem, donations to food banks are down 70 percent, and food bank volunteers, who tend to be older adults, are not able to help process donations. The good news is, there are people who have stepped up to help, and you can too!

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Supporting Older Adults to Stay Home and Stay Healthy

Supporting Older Adults to Stay Home and Stay Healthy

April 15, 2020

Senior centers and fitness classes are closed to ensure participants, staff, and program leaders stay home and stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although physical distancing is important, it is also important to help people maintain social connections. This is especially true for older adults who are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and complications from the virus.

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