News for the Week of September 20

News highlights for the week of September 20.

Latest Numbers. In Mercer Island, there have been 854 positive cases reported as of September 24. DOH reported a total of 567,011 confirmed cases as of September 22. There have been 7,434 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the latest city and county data, click here.

City Adjusts COVID-19 Emergency Operations, Updates Reopening Plans. In response to changing COVID-19 conditions, the City of Mercer Island has adjusted operations and reallocated resources to best support City services and protect the community’s health. Read the full update here.

Video Update from the City Manager. Click here to watch City Manager Jessi Bon’s September 21 update on the City’s response to the pandemic and City services.

Situation Reports. Click here to catch up on the latest information and reports.

Information for Businesses

Free technical assistance and other resources for King County businesses. You can request free technical assistance on how to improve the ventilation and indoor air quality of your business by completing the form to request Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Assistance. The form is available in 11 languages. Click here to learn more.

Help for Businesses Navigating New King County Vaccine Verification Requirement. Beginning October 25, the County will require that businesses verify customers and attendees have shown proof of vaccination. Follow this link for resources to navigate the new business requirement.

New Funding Resources for King County Organizations. Three new funding resources are available for local businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to learn more.

Vaccine News

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report. DOH provides data and criteria on fully vaccinated people who test positive with COVID-19 and may or may not develop symptoms. Between January 17, 2021 – September 11, 2021, DOH officials have identified 36,919 vaccine breakthrough cases in Washington State. Read the full September 22 report.

CDC Director Issues Statement after Expanding Pfizer Booster Recommendations Beyond the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations. Click here for the recommendations and full statement.

King County COVID-19 Vaccine Data At-a-Glance. Page updated daily here.

Need vaccine support? Call the DOH support line 1-833-VAX-HELP for assistance.

Ways to Help

Request for medical volunteers and other resources to support hospital surge efforts in Washington. Like most health care systems nationwide, Washington hospitals and health care workers are under tremendous strain as a result of staffing shortages and increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients. DOH has sent out notice seeking licensed healthcare practitioners and retired medical professionals to consider volunteering to support hospital surge and COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Licensed healthcare practitioners, from either in or out-of-state, can register in Washington as emergency volunteers. Retired medical professionals can volunteer to administer COVID-19 vaccines under the PREP Act. DOH is currently working to fill more than 900 requests for volunteers in 15 counties. Visit the DOH emergency volunteer page to learn more and register as a volunteer.