First case of B.1.351 variant identified in Washington State as cases of B.1.1.7 increase WA Department of Health | Feb 23, 2021
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The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) along with Public Heath – Seattle & King County and the UW Medicine Virology Lab, announce that the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in King County, WA.
The variant, initially identified in South Africa, was identified yesterday through genomic sequencing at the UW Medicine Virology Laboratory. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 on January 29, 2021. Other details about the case, including travel history are not available as the person was not able to be reached through contact tracing efforts.
DOH expands school testing initiative to encourage more in-person learning WA Department of Health | Feb 17, 2021
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OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the Washington Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) and Health Commons is expanding its COVID-19 testing service for schools and adding voluntary testing options to its toolkit for school districts. This is part of the ongoing effort to expand in-person learning to more Washington students.
The department has partnered with 11 districts on a testing pilot project, and so far the results have been encouraging. Combined with other mitigation strategies, like practicing six feet of physical distancing, using face coverings, keeping students in smaller cohorts, maximizing/improving ventilation, and practicing good hygiene and disinfection habits, testing in schools has helped build confidence in safer in-person learning.