Coronavirus daily news updates, July 22: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world – Seattle Times

Editors note:This is a live account of COVID-19 updates from Wednesday, July 22 as the day unfolded. It is no longer being updated. Clickhereto see all the most recent news about the pandemic, andclick hereto find additional resources.

Most people in the United States are still highly susceptible to catching the new coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. As the virus silently spreads, scientists are scrambling to study its prevalence, broadcast the latest guidance, develop a vaccine and invent new ways to test people for antibodies.

In Washington state, most registered voters said in a new poll that they wear masks regularly and believe reopening should be at least paused for the time being.

Throughout Wednesday, on this page, well be posting updates on the pandemic and its effects on the Seattle area, the Pacific Northwest and the world. Updates from Tuesday can be foundhere, and all our coronavirus coverage can be foundhere.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) There were few bare faces among rush-hour commuters in Australias second-largest city on Thursday morning as Melbourne residents were largely complying with a new law making face coverings compulsory.

Melbourne and neighboring semi-rural Mitchell Shire are coronavirus hot spots that have been in lockdown for two weeks. Wearing a mask or face covering in public became mandatory for Melbournes 5 million residents from 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

Melbourne residents are becoming increasing concerned by the pandemic while most parts of Australia have virtually no new cases and have relaxed restrictions. Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital, posted a 24-hour record 484 new cases on Wednesday. A state record five deaths was announced on Thursday.

Associated Press

When Bennie Aranas was being treated for COVID-19, video calls from his hospital bed were filled with more than 100 friends and family members.

At the end of the day, family needs to come together. Youre there for one another, said Aranas oldest son, Byron, describing a family of 40-plus nieces and nephews. And he truly was a family guy. Family first.

When Aranas tested positive for the new coronavirus at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland, doctors asked his family if theyd like him to participate in their early clinical trials for remdesivir,the first drug shown to be effective against COVID-19.

Byron Aranas, 47, said he didnt know if his father had been given the drug or a placebo during that trial, but in the first week, his condition started improving.

Then, on the 11th day, his condition worsened. By the 12th day April 25 he was gone.

Read the full story here.

Elise Takahama

SACRAMENTO, Calif. California will spend $315 million more to buy hundreds of millions of protective masks as the coronavirus continues to ravage the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

A new contract with Chinese manufacturer BYD will provide the state 120 million tight-fighting N95 respirator masks and 300 million looser-fitting surgical masks. Californias initial $1 billion deal with the company was signed in April.

The state will soon launch a competitive bidding process to try to get even more protective masks at lower prices and is encouraging manufacturers within the state to make equipment, Newsom said.

We decided to think outside the box, we did something big and bold, he said during a news conference at a Sacramento warehouse where masks and other protective equipment are stored.

Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY Utah is among the many U.S. states battling a surge in coronavirus cases, but officials said Wednesday the Salt Lake City area is bucking the trend after the county issued a mandate a month ago for people to wear masks.

Theres no statewide mask order in Republican-led Utah, and face coverings remain contentious, as seen at a recent public meeting that was abruptly ended when dozens of people without masks packed the room.

After GOP Gov. Gary Herbert allowed Democratic leaders in Salt Lake County to impose their own mask rule, the countys share of cases in the state steadily declined despite its denser population.

The number of new cases reported daily in Salt Lake County is nearly down to levels seen in June. However, case numbers in the state as a whole have doubled in the same time frame.

Associated Press

The boom, boom, boom pattern of announcements from school officials this week sounded eerily similar to the one from five months ago, when districts extended building closures and decided to improvise schooling through a mix of online coursework and assignments on paper.

On Wednesday, several of King Countys largest school districts, including Seattle, said they intend to hold school remotely this fall. In other words, back to school will be back to screens.

In the spring and now, district leaders announcements were light on details. The difference: Decisions last school year were made in the thick of a pandemic. Since then, leaders have had months to prepare for the possibility that buildings couldnt reopen safely.

But many district leaders offered little insight this week into how they plan to improve the way they deliver online classes, particularly for students who were left out in the spring, such as those who receive special-education services and those who are learning English. This lack of detail comes at a time when many education leaders of color across Washington are raising serious concerns about inequity in schools generally, but particularly during school closures.

As of late Wednesday, the districts that had announced an online-only start to the school year included Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Northshore and Seattle.

Read the full story here.

Dahlia Bazzaz, Hannah Furfaro and Paige Cornwell

As coronavirus cases surge in Kitsap County, in addition to other parts of the state, local health officials are urging residents to take united action to fight the outbreak.

We need everyones help to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent additional hospitalizations and deaths in our county, Susan Turner, Kitsap Public Health District health officer, said in a Wednesday statement. Most community members and businesses are taking the threat of this illness seriously and we are grateful for their commitment. We have a long road ahead and we must work together to protect the health of all Kitsap residents."

The county has reported more than 180 new COVID-19 cases in the past month, reaching the highest levels its seen since the start of the pandemic, the statement said.

Hospitalizations are on the rise, multiple long-term care facilities are reporting new outbreaks and many recent cases have been linked to social gatherings, Kitsap County health officials said. Many of those who have tested positive, the statement said, have exhibited mild symptoms and didn't know they could infect others.

Health officials said they hope Kitsap County residents will diligently avoid crowds, social distance, wash their hands frequently, wear face coverings and get tested as soon as they start feel symptoms, the statement said.

Elise Takahama

Health officials warned Washingtonians in a blog post Tuesday that nearly the entire state is "on the path to runaway transmission rates of COVID-19," though some counties, like Yakima, provide bits of hope.

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 is "higher now than it has ever been," and hospitalization rates are rising throughout the state, the Washington State Department of Health post said.

Data also shows the increase in the number of young adults testing positive is leading to an increase in the number of children and teens who are contracting the virus and "threatening to spread broadly into younger and older age groups," the post said.

Health officials did end on a positive note, however, by reminding Washingtonians that changing behavior can make a difference, referring to Yakima County's "sharp turnaround" in positive cases now that about 95% of people are wearing face coverings in public.

"You know what to do," the post said. "Each of us needs to make a conscious shift in the way we live our lives so that we can send our kids back to school in the fall and continue to reopen our businesses."

Elise Takahama

Relationship therapist Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman doesnt mince words when discussing strains the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on couples nationwide.

She tells of one husband-and-wife client duo and how the pandemic has driven them crazy when he comes home weekends from his high-stress,front-line medical worker jobhe took in another state to better make ends meet. Theyll quickly argue over something as minimal as controlling the television remote control, drink some wine and then watch the situation deteriorate.

Gottman and her husband, Dr. John Gottman, founders of The Gottman Institute and its Seattle-based Love Lab for relationship assessments, have accelerated plans to introduce an online version of their services for patients and therapists.

Their 3-year-old startup, Affective Software, is expected to complete final testing of personal computer and smartphone applications this fall in an effort to democratize what they say is low-cost therapy for millions of couples at risk for domestic violence, alcoholism and financial anxiety as the pandemic continues.

Read the full story here.

Geoff Baker

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump painted a wishful view Wednesday of the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic, in which existing treatments can almost cure patients flooding hospitals, all schools will safely reopen this fall, and the countrys soaring cases are confined to a handful of states.

But the rosy assessment he issued at a White House news briefing alone at the lectern without any top public health experts was undermined by the alarming reality that on Wednesday, almost every metric showed just how badly America is losing its fight against the virus.

The number of daily deaths on Wednesday surpassed 1,100, the first time that mark had been reached since May 29. And total deaths in the United States since the start of the pandemic increased to more than 140,000.

Trumps optimistic outlook Wednesday contrasted with his reluctant acknowledgment on Tuesday that Americas situation will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better.

The Washington Post

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. As parts of the nation struggle with a worse coronavirus outbreak than during its high points last spring in other states, Illinois, where officials continue to congratulate residents for keeping the new virus in check, announced Wednesday an increasing number of newly confirmed infections.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his state public health director, Dr. Ngoze Ezike, made public pleas to wear masks when outside the home and continue physical distancing and conscientious hygiene to stem the spread of the highly contagious and potentially deadly coronavirus.

The state on Wednesday reported Julys highest one-day total at nearly 1,600 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, prompting a warning from the Democratic governor.

States including Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana and Texas have seen some July surges that surpassed what any of the hardest-hit states saw in April. Meanwhile, Illinois, which many believe was slower and more deliberate in re-opening its economy and reducing restrictions on social interaction, had kept numbers of new cases steady.

Associated Press

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday that she is expanding the states current COVID-19 mask order to also apply to children as young as 5 and that she is decreasing the allowed capacity of indoor venues from 250 people to 100.

The governor said these new mandates, which go into effect Friday, are necessary to help slow the increasing spread of coronavirus. On Tuesday, the total number of confirmed and presumptive virus cases in the state topped 15,000.

When we see the numbers rise, we must respond, Brown said.

Currently, anyone who is 12 years or older must wear masks inside public spaces and in outdoor areas where they can not stay six feet away from others. The mandate will now apply to anyone 5 years or older.

These younger children can be infected by COVID-19. These younger children live with families, said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, epidemiologist for the Oregon State Health Authority.

In conjunction with the mask expansion, Oregons Department of Education announced that students will be required to wear face coverings during in-person instruction if they return to the classroom in the fall. The department will distribute 5 million face coverings to school districts for students and employees to wear to help with the new requirement.

Read the full story here.

The Associated Press

To give businesses, shoppers and diners more room outside, the City of Seattle will soon waive permit costs for restaurants and retail stores that want to close streets near their establishments.

We must all fight the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in our region," Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement. "As we are seeing increasing cases from social gatherings and indoor dining, we can create additional opportunities for our restaurants and businesses to safely operate outdoors."

For qualifying businesses, the city will waive usual permit costs, but businesses will still have to cover other expenses like barricades and temporary no-parking signs. Those applying to close a portion of the street will have to demonstrate support from neighboring businesses and residents of proposed street closures, the mayors office said in a news release.

Its the latest effort to keep people outside as the city returns to shopping and dining. Last month, Seattle announced it would waive sidewalk permit fees to make it easier for restaurants to seat people outdoors.

So far, the Seattle Department of Transportation has received 92 applications for sidewalk cafs and curb space permits, the city said. The city has yet to release more details about which businesses will be eligible for the new street closure fee waivers. Businesses can start applying July 29.

Heidi Groover

State health officials confirmed 672 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths in Washington on Wednesday.

The update brings the states totals to 49,247 cases and 1,468 deaths, meaning about 3% of people diagnosed in Washington have died, according to the state Department of Health (DOH). The data is as of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

So far, 855,152 tests for the novel coronavirus have been conducted in the state, per DOH, with about 5.8% of those coming back positive. Over the week ending July 16, about 5.3% of tests in Washington have been positive.

In King County, the state's most populous, state health officials have confirmed 13,627 diagnoses and 638 deaths, accounting for 43.5% of the states COVID-19 death toll.

Brendan Kiley

Fearing another grim wave of nursing home deaths as COVID-19 cases rebound, President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his administration will provide $5 billion to help facilities counter the virus.

The move follows Democratic presidential candidate Joe Bidens recent unveiling of a family caregiver plan that aims to greatly expand and subsidize alternatives to institutional care for frail older adults. Both men are competing for seniors votes against a backdrop of eroding political support for Trump among older Americans.

I want to send a message of support and hope to every senior citizen, Trump said at the White House. The light is starting to shine and we will get there very quickly.

The $5 billion announced Wednesday is part of a package, including efforts to facilitate ongoing testing of nursing home staff, providing states a weekly list of facilities with increased COVID-19 cases, and offering additional training and support for the homes.

Advocates and industry have been pressing the administration and Congress for weeks to provide more financial assistance and support for nursing homes. An earlier White House recommendation to test all residents and staff has had mixed results. Nursing homes already have received $4.9 billion from pandemic relief funds approved by Congress.

Read the full story here.

The Associated Press

When Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the WNBAs Phoenix Mercury, returned to training last week after a bout with COVID-19, she made an announcement that startled fans. She said she believed she had been infected twice once in March and then again in June or July.

They said you can only get it once, but Ive had it twice, she told reporters Thursday. Hopefully, Im done with it.

As the United States marks its sixth month since the arrival of the virus, Cunninghams story is among a growing number of reports of people getting COVID-19, recovering and then falling sick again assertions, that if proved, could complicate efforts to make a long-lasting vaccine, or to achieve herd immunity where most of the population has become immune to the virus.

Doctors emphasize there is no evidence of widespread vulnerability to reinfection and that it is difficult to know what to make of these cases in the absence of detailed lab work, or medical studies documenting reinfections. Some people could be suffering from a reemergence of the same illness from virus that had been lurking somewhere in their body, or they could have been hit with a different virus with similar symptoms. Their positive COVID-19 tests could have been false positives a not-insignificant possibility given accuracy issues with some tests or picked up dead remnants of virus, as authorities believe happened in hundreds of people who tested positive after recovering in South Korea.

You cant extrapolate those anecdotal, first-person observations to the entire population and make sweeping conclusions about how the virus works, said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University.

There is still not enough evidence, or sufficient time since the virus first struck to draw firm conclusions about how people develop immunity to COVID-19, how long it might last or what might make it less robust in some individuals than in others.

Read the full story here.

The Washington Post

Virtual instruction. Mandated masks. Physical distancing. The start of school will look very different this year because of the coronavirus and thats OK with the vast majority of Americans.

Only about 1 in 10 Americans think daycare centers, preschools or K-12 schools should open this fall without restrictions, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. Most think mask requirements and other safety measures are necessary to restart in-person instruction, and roughly 3 in 10 say that teaching kids in classrooms shouldnt happen at all.

The findings are a sharp contrast to the picture that President Donald Trump paints as he pressures schools to reopen. The Republican president claims to have wide support for a full reopening, arguing that Democrats oppose it for political reasons.

Few schools, however, plan to return to business as usual.

Read the full story here.

The Associated Press

Read more here:

Coronavirus daily news updates, July 22: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world - Seattle Times