Live updates: Hanford workers tested for COVID-19, Richland library restrictions and more
The Tri-Cities went quieter Tuesday as Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to close recreational facilities, schools and more took effect to slow the spread of novel coronavirus and save lives.
In addition, the Richland Public Library has sharply reduced hours and the Richland Community Center has closed.
The Red Cross appealed for donors as blood supplies dwindle.
The Department of Energy notified nuclear reservation workers Monday night that two more site employees were being tested for coronavirus.
The first laboratory-confirmed case in the Tri-Cities area of coronavirus was announced Tuesday morning. Read about it here.
Total cases for Washington state on Tuesday topped 1,000. The latest numbers are here.
Here are the details of the most recent changes in the Tri-Cities area due to COVID-19:
Richland library, parks
Richland closed its community center, closed its park restrooms and started offering only skeleton library services Tuesday.
The Community Center was required to close under Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to shut down recreational facilities for two weeks.
Meals on Wheels will be open 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays ad the community center for meal pick-up only.
Park restrooms have been closed due to increased vandalism and theft.
For the next two weeks the Richland Public Library will be open from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
It will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday.
The open hours are only for pickup of books and other materials reserved on line or by phone. Visitors will not be allowed to congregate at the library.
The library does have online options for eBooks, eMovies, eMusic and eMagazines. Go to richland.lib.wa.us or call 509-942-7454 for information.
The Mid-Columbia Libraries closed all its branches, including those in Kennewick, Pasco and West Richland, for six weeks starting Tuesday.
Richland City Hall remains open, but residents are encourage to make utility payments in the drop box on the southwest side of the building.
Hanford testing
The Hanford nuclear reservation closed two buildings Monday evening for disinfection because two employees who worked in them are being tested for the novel coronavirus.
Tuesday morning Hanford announced that access to a Richland Federal Building office also was restricted because of the possibility of a COVID-19 case. Public spaces in the building at 825 Jadwin Ave. were cleaned and disinfected.
Additional buildings on the Hanford Site and 2430 Stevens Center in Richland also were being disinfected and access was restricted on Tuesday.
The site has about 9,300 workers, not including all subcontractor employees.
Workers MO-280 and MO-3103 buildings on the nuclear reservation should monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing, fever and shortness of breath, the Department of Energy said.
On Monday afternoon Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette sent out a memo saying that DOE will practice “social distancing” and do as much telecommuting as possible at sites across the country, which would include Hanford.
People are encouraged to keep a distance of six feet from others when at work or out in public.
Procedures to approve telework at DOE sites have been streamlined during the coronavirus outbreak, Brouillette said.
He also ordered DOE officials to work with its contractors to maximize telework.
Workers who are feeling ill should err on the side of caution and not come to work regardless of their telework status, he said.
Required closures
Schools are closed for six weeks and businesses like bars, restaurants, hair and nail salons and fitness centers for two weeks under emergency order.
Gatherings of more than 50 people also are banned. The White House urged people to avoid gatherings of 10 or more.
Leaders of businesses or organizations that violate the state closure order may be found guilty of a gross misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 364 days in a county jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
A partial list of businesses ordered closed include theaters, bowling alleys, non-tribal card rooms, tattoo parlors, pool halls, senior centers, museums and art galleries.
Sporting events, youth sport practices, weddings, funerals, fundraisers and concerts also are on the banned list, according to information from the governor’s office.
Restaurants continue to provide take-out, drive-thru and delivery service. Food trucks remain open.
Banks, grocery stores and pharmacies also remain open.
Local government
Richland and Kennewick city councils planned to have meetings Tuesday night, but warned visitors that seating would be limited to meet coronavirus social distancing guidelines.
Kennewick urged people to watch the meeting online here rather than coming to Kennewick City Hall.
Richland meetings can be watched on line here.
The Richland School Board will attempt to broadcast its meeting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at rsd.edu. A special meeting has been planned on COVID-19 planning, with a closed session on the superintendent search.
Benton County is cutting back on its office hours in the face of the coronavirus. The commissioners approved a declaration of emergency Tuesday to let officials make the changes.
They are letting many county employees work from home or take paid leave between March 23 and April 5.
Franklin County commissioners will meeting Wednesday afternoon to consider a similar resolution, County Administrator Keith Johnson said. If the commissioners agree to the resolution, the move will mean shorter hours for many county offices.
They are looking at making the move to help slow the spread of the disease.
The Franklin County Clerk’s Office will stop accepting passport applications from Wednesday until April 24, it said Tuesday.
Blood shortage
More than Red Cross blood drives have been canceled in Washington and Oregon due to concerns about people congregating during the coronavirus outbreak, with more cancellations expected.
The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage, it said.
“Unfortunately, when people stop donating blood, it forces doctors to make hard choices about patient care, which is why we need those who are healthy and well to roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life,” said Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services.
The Red Cross is taking steps to ensure the safety of donors, including checking the temperature of staff and donors before they enter a building where blood is being collected.
Donor beds are being spaced at least six feet apart where possible. Already rigorous disinfecting procedures are being ramped up with more disinfecting of surfaces and equipment.
The Richland Blood Donation Center at 447 Wellsian Way remains open. In addition, a blood drive is set for 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Red Cross office at 7202 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick.
Schedule an appointment by calling 800-733-2767 or visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
Hospital visitors
Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland is allowing no visitors for most of its patients starting Tuesday, it announced Monday night.
The restrictions include people accompanying patients to its Freestanding Emergency Department in Kennewick, Urgent Care or Express Care Clinic, Kadlec Healthplex, Kadlec Outpatient Imaging Center and the Tri-Cities Regional Surgery Center and Kadlec Ambulatory Surgery Center.
The only exceptions will be for children who are hospital patents, labor and delivery patients, and patients receiving end of life care.
Hospitals in Kennewick and Pasco also have tightened restrictions on visitors during the novel coronavirus pandemic..
At Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick and At Lourdes Health in Pasco patients may designate two visitors, but only one of them may visit at a time.
Visitors must be 18 or older and will be required to show photo ID to enter the hospital.
The exception is patients younger than 15 who can have two parents or guardians visit at the same time.
At the Trios Family Birthing Center only one visitor, who must be at least 18, is allowed and may visit just once per day. Visitors may not wait in the waiting room.
Any visitors allowed at the three hospitals must be at least 18 and will be screened at the door. They may be required to show ID.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 2:52 PM.