Cardboard fan clippings are seen before the game between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars at the Alaska Airlines Arena on January 31, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
The state Department of Health says there were more than 297,513 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington, and 4,285 people died of the virus across the state. The state says 616,589 vaccine doses were administered. Check below for more updates.
We are currently in Phase 1B level 1 vaccine distribution, which means that the vaccine is available to anyone aged 65 and over, and all people aged 50 and over who also live in a multigenerational family.
Find a vaccine location near you.
Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state
Monday, February 1
12:41 pm – Washington State Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer is asking Governor Inslee to prohibit providers from giving special access to vaccine markings. Sauer says some hospitals offer consultations that are easily accessible to donors and board members. She has also heard of some pharmacies and doctors’ offices that offer VIP injections to family members of employees or just patients.
Sauer sent a letter to vaccine suppliers on Monday, asking them to treat everyone equally.
11:24 am – Three mass vaccination sites will be closed at least Monday and Tuesday in Snohomish County due to the lack of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to county health officials. Read More.
10:20 am – Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tweeted that 405 eligible grocery workers were vaccinated on Sunday. She also reported that the city vaccinated 2,436 vulnerable Seattle residents and workers in just over two weeks. Seattle Fire’s mobile team visited 85 adult households, 12 affordable housing buildings, three pop-ups and two permanent support housing buildings.
9h12 – Two mass vaccination sites opened in South King County on Monday – one at the ShoWare Center in Kent, the second at the General Services Administration Complex in Auburn – but appointments are already completed next week. As of Sunday, the Kent COVID-19 vaccination site will be filled until February 20, and the Auburn site will be filled until February 10. Both locations continue to have consultations, which can be scheduled online here.
Due to limited vaccine supply, these two locations are currently limited to residents aged 75 and over; or those who are 50 or older and cannot live independently, or live with and care for relatives; or those who are caring for someone aged 50 or over who cannot live independently. Additional groups will be able to schedule appointments at these locations as vaccine supply increases.
7:34 am – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association previously set the guidelines and voted to start traditional autumn sports on February 1, so some high school sports begin today. There will be restrictions and athletes will have to maintain a safe distance, sanitize equipment and wear a mask.
A full season calendar and a summary of current guidelines issued by the state Department of Health can be found on the WIAA COVID-19 page online here.
5:40 am – Reminder from the State Health Department: Taking the vaccine COVID-19 does not make you invincible to the virus, mainly due to the presence of new variants. Health officials say it is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19 once vaccinated, although the changes are much less.
Anyone who has been vaccinated should continue to wear masks and social distance.
Read last week’s updates here.