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:

DSHS further reduces foot traffic at Community Services Offices effective March 26

Mar 26 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services announced that its Community Services Offices will further reduce foot traffic from the public beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 26 in response to Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy directive and in a continued effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The reduction of in-person services will remain in place until further notice.

The agency’s Economic Services Administration announced March 19 that it would offer only ...read the full news release

Total of five staff have now tested positive for COVID-19 at Western State Hospital

Mar 25 2020

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

LAKEWOOD -- The Department of Social and Health Services said there are now a total of five employees at Western State Hospital who have tested positive for COVID-19. The hospital has 2700 state and contracted staff members.

The hospital learned of the two new confirmations after sending out a press release earlier today regarding two other staff. There are now a total of two patients and five staff members who have tested positive for the virus. One of the staff members had not been ...read the full news release

Two additional Western State Hospital employees test positive for COVID-19

Mar 25 2020

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

LAKEWOOD -- The Department of Social and Health Services announced today that two employees, who work on separate wards at Western State Hospital, have tested positive for COVID-19.

All hospital staff who have been in close contact with these employees have been notified.

Last week, DSHS announced that two patients and one staff member, who had not worked during the incubation period, had tested positive for the virus. Since that announcement, one patient and Western employee ...read the full news release

Child Study and Treatment Center employee tests positive for COVID-19

Mar 23 2020

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

LAKEWOOD -- The Department of Social and Health Services learned late yesterday, Monday, March 23, that a staff member at the Child Study and Treatment Center in Lakewood tested positive for COVID-19.

DSHS leadership is working with Tacoma-Pierce County ...read the full news release

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