COVID-19 Updates | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Kernie Moeller, nurse from the Thurston County Medical Reserve Corps, draws the first COVID-19 vaccination Dec. 18, 2020, as vaccinators from Providence Southwest Washington began administering the vaccine.

County officials provide detailed update on vaccinations

Thurston County has received 13,925 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of today. County health officials have asked for patience as they expect it to take weeks to work through the approximately 70,000 … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 1/26/21

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, the Thurston County Health Officer.

"This week I want to focus on the COVID-19 vaccines."

Hello Thurston County! This week I want to focus on the COVID-19 vaccines. There are two vaccines approved for use made by Pfizer and Moderna. They are both mRNA vaccines. mRNA is harmless and … more

1/22/21

OSD Executive Director of Elementary Education Autumn Lara talks to the school board and community on Jan. 21, 2021 about the specifics of the academic schedule for the Preschool and Kindergarten students returning on February 1.

Olympia School Board discusses return to classrooms starting Feb. 1

Olympia School District’s board met via Zoom yesterday for a work session. This work session was specifically devoted to the hybrid expansion plan and pandemic education response updates. … more

By Olivia Alvord | 1/22/21

Thurston County Health Officer's Letter to School Personnel

January 21, 2021 Dear Thurston Superintendents and Heads of Schools, In my letter on January 15, 2021, I affirmed Thurston County is in alignment with the Washington State Department of … more

1/21/21 | 1 comment

Covid-19 Coronavirus Vaccine vials in a row macro close up

Vaccines: You might be eligible now, due to expanded rules

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Limited appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, by appointment only OLYMPIA – In response to Governor Inslee’s announcement on … more

1/20/21

County health officer sent additional guidance to school officials today

Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek sent a letter to the Thurston County Educational Community today. Her letter is shown below. Dear Thurston County Educational … more

1/15/21

Intercity Transit has increased service on Routes 62A and 62B, traveling along the Martin Way corridor, to reduce crowding and allow for greater social distancing.

Intercity Transit Increases Frequency of Routes 62A and 62B

Intercity Transit announced today that it has added service to Routes 62A and 62B to better serve passengers traveling along the Martin Way corridor. The additional bus service increases trip … more

1/14/21

County Health Officer gives new guidance to school districts today

Dear Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools, I am writing to inform you of new data and guidance regarding the safety of in-person learning opportunities in the school setting. In … more

1/5/21 | 1 comment

Few graphics tell a story as well as this does.

WA coronavirus restrictions extended through Jan. 11

Fewer new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Washington during the past few weeks but that improvement is not enough to encourage Gov. Jay Inslee to lift restrictions on social gatherings … more

By Melissa Santos | Crosscut.com | 12/31/20 | 1 comment

Elizabeth Vadnais administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Ashlynn Strode on Dec. 18. The pair, nurses for Providence in Southwest Washington, were among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Southwest Washington.

Providence and Valley View have begun vaccinating healthcare providers

At least two local healthcare organizations are in the process of vaccinating front-line workers this week. Providence Health and Services has already administered COVID-19 vaccinations to some … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 12/29/20

New School Metrics and Recommendations for Thurston County Schools

OLYMPIA – On Wednesday, Governor Inslee announced new school metrics and recommendations for public and private K-12 schools. Currently, Thurston County is at a 237.9 rate per 100,000 of newly … more

12/18/20

Health officer discusses WA Notify app and new details about quarantines

Hello Thurston County! As you’ve seen in local and national news, this past week has brought a lot ofchanges. Some of the most important developments are the COVID-19 vaccine, the contact … more

12/9/20

Governor announces new economic supports and extension of restrictions

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional economic supports for workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee also announced a three-week extension of the state’s current … more

12/8/20

Vaccine distribution plan update from the Washington State Department of Health

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. Timeline: Vaccine Authorizations and … more

12/3/20

In this Wednesday, June 24, 2020 file photo, a volunteer receives an injection at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, as part of Africa's first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial developed at the University of Oxford in Britain in conjunction with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca says late-stage trials of its COVID-19 vaccine were "highly effective'' in preventing disease. A vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford prevented 70% of people from developing the coronavirus in late-stage trials, the team reported Monday Nov. 23, 2020.

A COVID vaccine is coming. Here’s how WA is preparing

That medical experts have warned of a winter surge of the coronavirus since the early days of the now year-old pandemic doesn’t make the lived reality of it any less sobering. Cases … more

by Hannah Weinberger | Crosscut | 11/27/20

North Thurston High School's block-and-mortar front entrance. Most students now are entering via Zoom.

Local and state resources help families with remote learning

Ups and downs of reported COVID-19 cases in Thurston County has largely determined whether students would learn in classrooms or remotely, using home internet or WiFi connections to access … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 11/25/20

County Health Officer: Recipe for a Safe Thanksgiving

Hello Thurston County! Thanksgiving is a national holiday typically celebrated with friends and family around a dinner table to express gratitude for the blessings of the previous year. As … more

11/20/20

Providence Medical Group drive-through COVID-19 Testing: In this image, from July 2020, some 30 cars reach from the driveway entrance to the cotton swab.

Seeking to reduce wait times, Providence diverts some COVID-19 testing to its clinics

With waiting times as long as three to four hours lately at the drive-through testing it operates at its Hawks Prairie clinic parking lot, Providence will direct some of its patients to get tested at … more

By Danny Stusser | 11/19/20

Letter to the Community

Hello Thurston County! This has been a challenging week for our county as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as we have seen our cases increase significantly. The question on everyone’s … more

Dimyana Abdelmalek, MD, MPH, Thurston County Health Officer | 10/7/20

Letter to the Community: September 30, 2020

Hello Thurston County! I have selected several questions to answer this week from the ones I have received. Thank you for all the very well thought out and important questions. I look forward to … more

Dimyana Abdelmalek, MD, MPH Health Officer, Thurston County | 9/30/20