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:

 

Western State Hospital patient tests positive for COVID-19

Mar 17 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360.902.7739

LAKEWOOD -- The Washington Department of Social and Health Services confirmed that a patient at Western State Hospital in Lakewood tested positive for COVID-19.

DSHS Chief Medical Officer and hospital leadership are working with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to implement contact tracing.  The WSH patient went to a Pierce County hospital on March 13 for outpatient surgery and developed a post-operative fever; the patient returned to Western on March 15. Upon return, and ...read the full news release

DSHS limits visits at its 24/7 facilities

Mar 16 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Adolfo Capestany, (360) 902-8007 or (360) 878-1240

 

UPDATED VERSION 1p.m.: Clarifies limited, professional visitation at all facilities

OLYMPIA – In accordance with a proclamation by Governor Jay Inslee late yesterday, and upon further clarification, the Department of Social and Health Services will stop most visitors to its 24/7 facilities effective ...read the full news release

DSHS begins screening visitors at all of its 24/7 facilities

Mar 05 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Adolfo Capestany, 360.878.1240 OR 360.902.8007

 

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and health Services announced today that it has begun screening all visitors to its 24/7 facilities in response to the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state.

“Of course anyone who is not feeling well should postpone visiting any of our facilities or offices,” said Dr. Brian Waiblinger, Chief Medical Officer for DSHS. “Screening of all visitors at our 24/7 facilities is just one of many ways we are working to keep the ...read the full news release

One Western State Hospital patient dies, another hospitalized after both found unresponsive

Feb 09 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Adolfo Capestany, (360) 902-8007

 

During the 12:45 a.m. routine census check on Sunday, Feb. 9, two patients were found unresponsive in their shared room. Staff initiated CPR while paramedics were called. One patient died and the other was taken to a local hospital.  

Lakewood Police Department and the Pierce County Medical Examiner were notified. The Department of Health was also notified. 

“We are devastated by the loss of a patient and our hearts go out to their loved ones,” said DSHS Behavioral ...read the full news release

Search called off for missing Rainier School resident

Feb 03 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Lisa Copeland, (360) 902-7844

 

OLYMPIA – Since Friday, Jan. 31, the Department of Social and Health Services, Buckley Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office have been looking for Rainier School resident Joel Wellman, who walked away from the residential habilitation center in Buckley for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities around 6 p.m.

The Pierce County ...read the full news release