COVID-19 NEWS
Keep up with all the fast-moving novel coronavirus news, particularly as it impacts the Columbia Basin.
Samaritan sees fewer COVID-19 patients
The number of patients with COVID-19 at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake appears to be steadily declining, while...
How they got their jobs back: Moses Lake firefighters ‘set a precedent’; union sign-off on deal is next
Two out of three Moses Lake Fire Department firefighters will get their jobs back, as city officials said they could be accommodated for not getting a COVID-...
Samaritan, counties see drop in COVID-19
Samaritan Hospital’s COVID-19 patient numbers were down from previous weeks Thursday, with 17 patients, compared to last week, when there were 20.
Coronavirus vaccinations for children expected soon
Health officials in Washington said Wednesday they’re expecting doses of child-sized COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in the state next week.
Newhouse introduces bill ahead of federal shot mandate
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., on Tuesday introduced legislation to provide an antibody exemption to any federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for any federal employee or contractor who provides proof of COVID-19 antibod...
Firefighters reinstated: Council brings back three after they lost their jobs over vaccination mandate
MOSES LAKE — City council members voted Tuesday to reinstate three local firefighters who lost their jobs this month after refusing to be vaccinated against ...
All three COVID-19 vaccine boosters available for some
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is expanding COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to certain people after getting recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Centers for Disease Con...
Short-staffed Samaritan loses some workers to mandate, keeps caring for COVID-19 patients
Ten employees at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake lost their jobs due to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, but only two of those were Monday, officials s...
Fifteen local WSP troopers lose jobs due to mandate
Fifteen Washington State Patrol commissioned officers who cover Grant and Adams counties, as well as other areas in WSP’s districts 4 and 6, of which the cou...
Samaritan’s COVID-19 number declines; more deaths in county
Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake remains busy, although the number of COVID-19 patients is decreasing. And the Grant County Health District released information on more COVID-19 deaths.
Inslee: Nine out of 10 state workers complied with vaccine mandate
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee said thanks to the more than 91% vaccination and exemption rate among state employees, essential state services should be relatively unaffected as the vaccination deadline passes on Monday.
Big Bend to require vaccination for all on-campus students
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College announced Friday all students who want to attend classes on campus or instructional sites during the winter quarter will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Schools adjust after cases of COVID-19
EPHRATA — A surge in COVID-19 cases in Grant and Adams counties required local school officials to make some adjustments, returning to a distance-learning format for quarantined classrooms or an entire building.
Samaritan sees drop in COVID-19 patients, handles staffing
The number of COVID-19 patients at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake has dropped about a couple of handfuls — 21 to 12 — since last week, but officials cautio...
ML girl hospitalized with rare condition linked to COVID-19
The Rowe family, of Moses Lake, has been through a lot in the last couple of months, especially when their daughter developed a rare complication from COVID-...