Central Washington Responds to the Coronavirus Pandemic

LATEST LOCAL STATISTICS:

• Confirmed coronavirus cases in Yakima County: 31, 700
• Confirmed deaths from coronavirus in Yakima County: 428

STAYING SAFE

• If you think you might have the virus, Virginia Mason Memorial recommends the following:

1. Call ahead to (509) 225-4669 to speak with someone at the Yakima evaluation clinic in the Creekside Complex, 3903 Creekside Loop, Suite 115 (VMM's HealthyNow clinic). If the phone screener thinks you should be seen, you'll be directed to drive to the clinic, where you should remain in your car until masked and gloved clinic representatives come to you.
2. If clinic workers conclude you should take a screening test, they will give you detailed instructions.

• The state Department of Health has a multiple-language hotline that operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily: 1-800-525-0127.

• The Northwest Grocery Association suggests the following guidelines to guard public health and keep supplies flowing:

1. Do not hoard merchandise.
2. Practice social distancing with other shoppers.
3. Limit contact with store employees.

HELPFUL LINKS

• The Yakima Health District has a special website with the latest figures on local cases, plus guidance on how to protect yourself and your family,
• The state of Washington has also established a website with useful  information for individuals, families and business.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a dedicated website that tracks national statistics and explains more about how coronavirus is spread and what to do to protect yourself, your family, coworkers, friends and the general public.

WORK AND BUSINESS RESOURCES

• For information on state unemployment claims, visit the state Employment Security Division here.
• For local jobs information, visit the Yakima WorkSource office online.
• The Yakima County Development Association has set up a special website to address the questions and needs of local businesses.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• The Yakima Valley Community Foundation has set up a website that lists the needs of local nonprofit agencies. Visit Yakima Valley Nonprofit Needs here.
• The state Department of Health is supporting activation of emergency volunteer health practitioners. Visit the site for details.
• The American Red Cross has issued an urgent plea for blood and platelet donations. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or schedule an appointment online.

STANDING ORDERS

Stay-at-home orders remain in effect from the state and the Yakima Health District. Here's Gov. Jay Inslee's order for Washington:

• All gatherings with more than 50 participants are prohibited until further notice.
• All gatherings of 50 participants or fewer are prohibited until further notice unless previously announced criteria for hygiene and social distancing are met.
• Restaurants, bars, dance halls, clubs, theaters, health and fitness clubs, and other similar indoor social or recreational venues must cease operations until March 31.
• Restaurants and food service establishments may remain open only for drive-through, delivery, and pick-up only, until March 31.
• Customers should not enter the facility to place or pick up orders. Orders should be placed over the phone or at a drive-through window and brought out to customers.
• All other retail such as groceries, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, hardware stores, shopping centers, etc. may remain open.

By order of Dr. Teresa Everson, health officer for the Yakima Health District, people in the following occupations may continue to work:

• Health care, public health.
• Emergency services (law enforcement, fire department, public safety, public works)
• Agriculture/food.
• Energy (electricity, natural gas).
• Water and wastewater.
• Transportation and shipping.
• Communications/IT.
• Government and community operations (includes child care for children of critical function employees and other services that support availability of critical function employees).
• Manufacturing that supports critical functions.
• Financial services and legal services.
• Hazardous material management, chemical manufacturing and management.