Health & Fitness

Inslee Outlines Washington Coronavirus Recovery Plan

Gov. Jay Inslee said he was hopeful some restrictions could be relaxed in the coming weeks, but others will remain in place after May 4.

The governor's speech will be followed by a media breifing with five other members of the governor's staff and cabinet.
The governor's speech will be followed by a media breifing with five other members of the governor's staff and cabinet. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

OLYMPIA, WA β€” Gov. Jay Inslee outlined a coronavirus recovery plan in a televised address Tuesday evening, providing a framework for how the state could begin to relax some restrictions in the weeks ahead.

"Today our state health officer informed me the spread of COVID-19 is likely declining in Washington state," Inslee said.

According to the governor, the state department of health's analysis was based on several data points, including a continued decline in daily hospitalization rates and the number of new cases and deaths reported each day.

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This chart from the state Department of Health shows the epidemiologic curve of the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington. Cases and deaths are categorized by the date of onset for each illness. (Washington Department of Health)

Recent modeling from the University of Washington predicted the state could cross the threshold to begin reopening by the week of May 18. In a few days, Inslee said, the state expects updated modeling that could provide cause to modify certain restrictions, allowing for more outdoor recreation, elective surgeries, and a "sensible plan" for some construction projects to resume.

The governor said many measures are likely to stay in place beyond May 4, when the state's extended "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" was set to expire.

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"It will look more like the turning of a dial than the flip of a switch," Inslee said.


Watch the governor's full remarks here


Before the state can consider a larger scaling back of preventative measures, Inslee said Washington needs to successfully implement a four-step plan to "box in the virus."

Rapid, widespread testing still needed

The plan requires the state to have the ability to perform widespread testing, which means processing between 20,000 and 30,000 tests daily. Inslee said the state's current testing cap is around 4,000, largely due to a lack of available kits from the federal government.

The governor sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence Tuesday morning, strongly urging the Trump Administration to act quickly to provide swabs and other supplies and allow Washington to take advantage of its existing lab capacity.

"Just as a driver cannot travel their full distance on a quarter-tank of gas, we cannot unlock the full capacity of our labs without additional testing supplies and infrastructure from the federal government," Inslee wrote.


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Establishing a contact-tracing rapid response team

Inslee's plan for reopening also requires the state to establish a rapid response team to isolate any new patient with a potential COVID-19 illness, and immediately perform contact tracing to find others with potential exposure and advise them to self-quarantine for two weeks.

"When your house catches fire, you call the fire department and they come quickly," Inslee said. "We are standing up a broad workforce that will see something similar, involving state employees from the department of health, local health jurisdictions, members of the Washington National Guard, volunteer health care workers and many others."

The governor said a team of 1,500 should be ready to activate by the second week of May.

Impacts to workplaces, daily life could linger for months

Even after strict measures are eased throughout the state, Inslee said continued precautions will be necessary in workplaces and daily life.

"The reality we need to be aware of is simply this: We are going to have to steel ourselves against this virus for quite some time," Inslee said.

The state is working to develop updated guidelines for businesses, which will be permitted to reopen in phases. Inslee said some of those measures would include rigorous cleaning, physical distancing, medical screening and increased teleworking. The governor said the state needs to build a stronger online infrastructure by boosting broadband capability and extending better connectivity throughout the state.

Inslee announced the formation of three leadership groups to advise his office reopening the economy and safely returning more Washingtonians to work.

"We've already come through part of this storm together," Inslee said. "We're still here together and we're still faithful in what we can accomplish as a community."


Related: Seattle Area Braces For Long-Term Economic Impact Of Coronavirus



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