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Coronavirus updates for Spokane County, April 16

Find developments on the coronavirus outbreak in Spokane County and Washington state as we separate facts from fear.

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Key Facts: 

  • 541 coronavirus deaths among 10,694 cases in Washington.
  • Gov. Inslee ordered workplace protections for people at higher risk of a serious case of COVID-19
  • 17 coronavirus deaths among 286 cases in Spokane County 

Read previous daily coronavirus updates from April 14 here

Wednesday, April 14

3 p.m.

Governor Jay Inslee provided an update on the state's coronavirus response on Wednesday, answering questions ranging from when different parts of the state will reopen to testing capacity.

One of the biggest topics covered by Inslee was the possibility of allowing residential construction to resume work in the coming weeks. The governor said he has been in talks with industry leaders about implementing social distancing protocols on job sites to allow for residential construction to return.

Inslee also gave some details about what the reopening of different industries and institutions in Washington may look like. He said it will be a gradual opening, not all at once.

"The transition will not be a light switch on and off, it will be a dial," Inslee said. He added that industries will likely reopen in roughly reverse order of when they were closed, with things like large gatherings at events liekly opening later than schools and restaurants.

In order to open up things like schools for in-person meetings, the state would need to be able to quickly test possible cases, and would also need to have resources available to quick contact trace any positive cases.

"We can't have a situation were one child develops fever or a cough and we have to close down the whole school," Inslee said of reopening schools for in-person classes.

Despite spending most of the conference addressing questions about reopening the state, Inslee said data suggests Washington still isn't close to being back to normal.

"We are not at a level where we can take off social distancing, nor are we close to a level where we can take off social distancing," Inslee said.

The governor also said multiple models of infection and death rates from coronavirus in Washington show that the rates are plateauing, but haven't started to drop as needed yet.

"We have to remain committed for some period of time to this social distancing strategy," he said.

The governor also urged those who are at-risk or don't feel comfortable being in public for essential needs for other reasons to look to their neighbors for help.

"Maybe you're a person of some age that would rather not go to the grocery store right now. Don't be shy about asking the teenager next door to do your shopping for you. They've got some extra time on their hands right now," Inslee said.

Another topic Inslee covered was the release of inmates from state jails and prisons to provide lower populations and more space to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities. Inslee said the state has continued to working on developing a plan, including making sure any victims or people that would have reason to be concerned of an inmate's release are informed.

Inslee also said most of the inmates that would be released are non-violent drug offenders who were going to be released in the coming months, and that many of those inmates are also elderly.

The governor also acknowledged the possibility of these released inmates re-offending.

"We're concerned, anyone that walks out of a correction facility, like any human being, could be involved in future criminality," he said.

11,100 jobs lost in March in Washington

An estimated 11,100 jobs were lost in Washington state in March, according to the Employment Security Department. 

The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on jobs may not fully be captured in the latest report and "are more likely to be evident in the April report," according to department economist Paul Turek. 

"Although we have seen widespread closings of schools, restaurants, and theaters, these actions largely took effect starting the week of March 16, after most workers would have been counted. As a result, even if some firms started laying off workers as early as the second week of March, many still would have worked or received pay for at least part of the payroll period including the 12th, and thus their loss of employment is not yet fully reflected in the March report.” 

The state's labor force in March was 3,889,700, a decrease of 72,800 people from the previous month. The labor force is the total number of people who are employed and unemployed over the age of 16.

Debt collectors can't take stimulus checks

Debt collectors will not be able to take federal stimulus checks under a proclamation signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday. 

The proclamation suspends statutes that permit collection of consumer debt judgments, including bank account and wage garnishments and waives accrual of post-judgment interest on consumer debt judgments during the period of the order. 

11:26 a.m.

Whitman County health officials are reporting 13 positive COVID-19 test results. Ten of the 13 cases have recovered and three are self-isolating at home. 

10 a.m.

Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz reported 286 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday morning.

He said the encouraging trend of an overall decrease in the number of cases and hospitalizations is continuing. 

Fifty-four people have been hospitalized to date, with 17 who are still receiving care at local hospitals, Lutz said. 

5:45 a.m. 

The Spokane Regional Health District reports that there are 278 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths in Spokane County. 

Economic Impact Payments hit bank accounts

About 80 million Americans will have received Economic Impact Payments, also known as coronavirus stimulus checks, by Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday.

If you don't see your money in your bank account by then, don't panic. The IRS launched a website that will allow Americans to track the status of the stimulus payment.

The "Get My Payment" tool will "provide people with the status of their payment, including the date their payment is scheduled to be deposited into their bank account or mailed to them."

The IRS said the "Get My Payment" tool will also let eligible individuals submit bank information, if they haven't already, so they can get their payment quicker than waiting for a paper check in the mail.

Two House Democrats propose $2,000 per month stimulus

House Democrats Tim Ryan and Ro Khanna have introduced legislation to give millions of Americans $2,000 per month during the coronavirus pandemic. The congressmen say the one-time, $1,200 stimulus going out to many Americans isn't good enough given skyrocketing unemployment.

Every American age 16 and older making less than $130,000 annually would receive at least $2,000 per month. Married couples earning less than $260,000 would receive $4,000 per month. 

The payments would be guaranteed for six months and continue until the employment-to-population ratio for people age 16 and older is above 60%, the congressmen said.

RELATED: You could get a $2,000 per month stimulus check under proposed bill

RELATED: IRS stimulus check status tracker is now online | Here's what you need to know

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