CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 INFORMATION:
 STATEMENT ON PAUSING J & J VACCINE per DOH Communications (Media Contact) - The Washington State Department of Health will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J & J) vaccine statewide starting immediately, following the guidance of the FDA/CDC. Use of that vaccine will be put on hold until we receive further recommendations from our federal partners about how best to move forward. Safety is the highest priority when it comes to all COVID-19 vaccines.
This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution based on the appearance of a rare but serious side effect including serious brain blood clots (CVST) combined with low platelet counts in six patients, all women under 50. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will review these cases in the days ahead and will recommend guidance going forward.
About 149,000 doses of J & J vaccine have been administered in Washington so far, out of more than four million doses total. At this time, we have no knowledge of the six patients who experienced these blood clots being Washington residents.
For those who got the vaccine more than a month ago, the risk of this complication is very low at this time. People who have received the J & J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. It also demonstrates how well the robust vaccine safety monitoring systems work, since this potential safety concern was identified quickly and vaccines were paused to allow for further investigation.
No definitive cause has been identified yet, but the FDA said today that a probable cause is a rare immune response generated by an individual after receiving the vaccine.
DOH will continue to monitor the situation related to J & J vaccine and update on its use as the pause is reviewed and once it is lifted.
Public inquiries: State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline, 1-800-525-0127 Posted 4/14/21 (NEW)
NEW FREE COVID-19 TEST SITE IN ENUMCLAW - The City of Enumclaw, in partnership with Mutual of Enumclaw and Public Health – Seattle & King County, would like to announce the opening of a new free COVID test site at Griffin Ave. and Porter St. in the Mutual of Enumclaw parking lot across the street from the Enumclaw City Hall. Entry to the testing site is on Wells St. The site provides drive-through testing. Walk-up testing is also available. It will open on Thursday, December 10 and be open three days a week. The test site will be open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM beginning Thursday, December 10. This is a free testing site and open to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Funding is provided from CARES Act money, no city funds are used. The testing site will be operated by Discovery Health with support from King County. Mutual of Enumclaw has donated the space for the testing site.
The purpose of this test site in Enumclaw is to increase access in testing in rural parts of the county and reduce travel for those wishing to be tested including Black Diamond, Buckley and Bonney Lake areas. If you have COVID-like symptoms or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, Public Health – Seattle & King County urges you to avoid contact with others and get tested immediately. Stay home and away from others while you are waiting for test results. People are encouraged, but not required, to register for a testing appointment. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/covid/sites for scheduling, registration and additional test site information. Posted 12/10/20 (NEW)
GOVERNOR INSLEE IMPLEMENTS STATEWIDE 30 DAY RESTRICTION MODIFICATIONS - effective midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14 for all counties! Click here for detailed information as to what services and activities this affects. Posted 11/16/20
PANDEMIC EBT (P-EBT) PROGRAM - This program provides families whose children are eligible for free or reduced-priced school lunches a food benefit that allows them to buy groceries while schools are remote. Click here for more detailed information and how to apply for this program offered by The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 11th (extended from Aug. 31st)! Posted 8/31/20
King County Manufactured/Mobile Homeowners Rent Assistance Program - Rent Assistance is available in King County for Manufactured/Mobile Home Owners. Please read carefully and share also with your neighbors who might be in need of this assistance. Both the Department of Commerce and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance have contacted The Legislative Action Team (LAT), AMHO, MHOA and the Tenants Union regarding this and asked if this information would be shared.
The Department of Commerce announced the release of $100 Million of our state’s "Cares Act Funding for Rental Assistance to Prevent Eviction Across the State".
King County has combined its "Cares Act " funding with several other sources and announced the King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program.
Homeowners must earn 50% of the area median income or below and have at least one month of rent fully or partially unpaid since March, plus meet at least one additional risk factor. Homeowners will be selected by a lottery on a weekly basis starting September 14.
Homeowners, landlords (park owners), managers, and nonprofits can learn more by visiting the Department of Commerce Website. http://www.commerce.gov and click on "Housing". There is also Manufactured/Mobile Home Information on the Department of Commerce Website.
These funds are only for King County allotment, there will be funds available for assistance in every Washington County. Additional Information can be obtained by contacting the Washington State Low Income Housing Alliance at info@wilha.org or https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/COVID/eviction-prevention-rent-assistance/manufactured-home Posted 8/27/20
BLACK DIAMOND - COVID ECONOMIC HARDSHIP GRANTS AVAILABLE for Black Diamond Citizens -
The City of Black Diamond is happy to offer a Grant Program to help our citizens with Utility Bill payment assistance or Rental Assistance. If you are a Black Diamond resident and have been Economically affected by the COVID virus between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020, a new Grant program is now available with funds from a portion of the Commerce COVID Cares Act.
Grants of up to $1,000 can be applied for through the Black Diamond Community Center who will be administering the Grant program. Grant applications can be submitted beginning August 26, 2020 and continuing through October 20, 2020 (while funds are available). Applications can be picked up at the Black Diamond Community Center at 31605 Third Avenue, Black Diamond or can accessed by clicking here. For more information about the Economic Hardship Assistance Grant program, please call the Black Diamond Community Center at 360-886-1011 or the City of Black Diamond at 360-851-4500. Posted 8/24/20
King County Rent Assistance Program - The County Executive issued a press release related to the launch of the Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance program. The press release is located at the following website: https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2020/August/20-rental-assistance.aspx
CDBG-CV funding will be available under the Tenant/Small Landlord program. Tenants interested in receiving this assistance should visit the “Information for Tenants” page to submit an interest form located at the following website: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/COVID/eviction-prevention-rent-assistance.aspx. Tenants will be chosen by lottery on a weekly basis. Tenants selected from Consortium Cities will be contacted by a community-based organization to help tenants complete the application. The lottery will launch on September 14, 2020. Tenants not selected will remain in the interested tenant pool and eligible for all subsequent lotteries until the funds are expended. Tenants who are not selected will receive an email every Friday after September 14, 2020 to inform them of their status.
While the website is live, and they are taking interest forms, King County Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development Division are also taking public comments now through August 25th. Posted 8/21/20
PUBLIC NOTICE – June 19, 2020 - King County as been approved and is now in Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan. To read more please click here. Posted 6/19/2020
PUBLIC NOTICE – June 5, 2020 – King County has been approved to move into “modified phase 1”, which allows for (limited) reopening of businesses, recreation, and personal activities. Read more here. Posted 06/05/2020
Governor Inslee issues guidance for higher education and workforce training in Phases 1 and 2
Governor Inslee issues Safe Start Proclamation for County approach to re-opening
PUBLIC NOTICE - Click here to learn about ways PSE is helping customers through their new Crisis-Affected Customer Assistance Program. Posted 4/16/20
PUBLIC NOTICE - Click here for COVID-19 update for the City of Black Diamond regarding closure of City offices through May 4, 2020 . Posted 4/09/20
April 8, 2020 - Governor Inslee announced a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses with up to 10 full-time employees (FTEs) may apply for a one-time grant of up to $10,000.
To learn more and to apply, please visit: http://startup.choosewashingtonstate.com/covid-grants/.
Updated federal resources are also available on the StartUp Washington webpage including:
A Message to Black Diamond residents from your Ciy Council. Please click here to view. Posted 3/26/20
Stay Home - Stay Healthy: Guidance for Essential Businesses please click here.
PUBLIC NOTICE - Click here for COVID-19 update for the City of Black Diamond regarding closure of City offices through Arpil 8, 2020 To view the list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers" designated by Governor Inslee as exempt from the order issued on 3/23 please click here. Posted 3/24/20
Employee Rights - Paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. For more information please click here. Posted 3/25/2020
Along with other cities, City of Black Diamond has been taking necessary steps to keep the residents and their employees safe during this time of turmoil. Please click here to read the Joint Mayoral Statement. Posted 3/24/19
Financial Help for Individuals and Businesses due to Coronavirus Posted 3/17/20
Governor’s Emergency Proclamation
Local Health Officer Order
Health Officer Order Q&A
Governor's Press Conference
Emergency Proclamation - Today, Mayor Carol Benson issued a proclamation of declaring an emergency in Black Diamond due to COVID-19. This was done to allow the city to better manage and coordinate emergency efforts if needed and to continue functioning with essential city services.
In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to comply with the emergency measures announced by Governor Jay Inslee and Public Health - Seattle & Kind County the city has cancelled all City Council and Commission meetings and all rentals at the Black Diamond Community Gym effective Saturday, March 14, 2020.
Additionally, City Hall, Police Department and Municipal Court will remain open and continue to conduct business. The Community Development, Public Works, and MDRT departments will not be accessible in person and may be reached by phone for scheduling of appointments.
While these measures are currently effective through March 31, the city will reassess and determine if any extensions are needed as the month goes on and at the direction of the public health department or Governor's office.
Information from the public health and county can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/covid. Posted 3/12/2020
Public Health Insider news update (March 10): https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020/March/10-covid-case-updates.aspx Posted 3/10/20
COVID-19: What you should know and latest updates (from the CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html Posted 3/10/20
COVID-19: Frequently asked questions (from the CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html Posted 3/10/20
Fact Sheet (updated 2/27/20) Posted 3/4/20
Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus in Communities Posted 3/4/20
Planning for a Coronavirus Pandemic: A guide for businesses and organizations. Posted 3/4/20
If you've been concerned about the Coronavirus, click here to get all the facts from Seattle-King County Dept. of Health. Posted 2/28/20
For additional information, click here. Posted 3/2/20 |
