2020 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2020. You may search by keyword and release number.

To read archived news releases, please choose the appropriate year below:

 

Some DSHS offices close to foot-traffic in response to COVID-19

Mar 22 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360-902-7739

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services announced that three of its administrations are closing offices to the public in response to COVID-19. The agency’s Economic Services Administration announced last week that it would offer only limited services in its offices statewide.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation closed all of its offices to the public effective today, Monday, March 23. The Aging and Long-Term Support and the Developmental Disabilities ...read the full news release

Second Western State Hospital patient tests positive for COVID-19

Mar 20 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360-819-6889

LAKEWOOD -- The Washington Department of Social and Health Services confirmed that a second patient at Western State Hospital in Lakewood tested positive for COVID-19. The agency announced that a first patient tested positive earlier this week. That patient was on a different ward and is currently at a Pierce County Hospital.

The second patient is also currently at a Pierce County-area hospital being treated.

WSH follows protocols for infectious diseases as a matter of routine ...read the full news release

DSHS limits in-person services in response to COVID-19 outbreak

Mar 18 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Adolfo Capestany, (360) 902-8007
 
OLYMPIA -- The Department of Social and Health Services’ Economic Services Administration prioritizes the health and safety of its clients, staff and community members. As such, some offices are closing to the public and others are limiting in-person lobby services. 
Effective Thursday, March 19, Disability ...read the full news release

Western State Hospital staff member tested positive for COVID-19 and has recovered

Mar 18 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360-902-7739

LAKEWOOD – Today, the Department of Social and Health Services learned that an employee at Western State Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee was last at work on March 8 and had not been working at the hospital since before the incubation period of the virus. The Tacoma-Pierce County Department of Health does not believe the employee has come in contact with other hospital staff or patients while the employee has had the virus. This staff member did not work on the ...read the full news release

DVR limits in-person services in response to COVID-19 outbreak

Mar 18 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360.902.7739

LACEY – The Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation prioritizes the health and safety of its customers, staff, and community partners. With this in mind, DVR will implement the following measures at its statewide offices, effective immediately:

  • Limiting staff availability in offices

  • Transitioning staff to telework and remote methods of communication and service delivery

  • ...read the full news release