COVID-19 NEWS
Keep up with all the fast-moving novel coronavirus news, particularly as it impacts the Columbia Basin.
Inslee warns of possible 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday warned that Washington state was on the cusp of a fourth COVID-19 wave wit...
Homeless Americans finally getting a chance at COVID-19 shot
Homeless Americans who have been left off priority lists for coronavirus vaccinations — or even bumped aside as states shifted eligibility to older age groups — are finally getting their shots as vaccine supplies...
US opens more distance in worldwide race against coronavirus
The United States opened more distance between itself and much of the rest of the world Thursday, nearing the 200 millionth vaccine administered in a race to protect the population against COVID-19, even as other...
Ephrata organizers plan Sage-n-Sun parade
While organizers of the annual Sage-n-Sun festival here won’t stage a concert this year, they are planning a parade for early June.
State: 217 COVID-19 cases found among 1.7M fully vaccinated
OLYMPIA (AP) — State health officials said Wednesday that 115 more cases of fully vaccinated people testing positive for COVID-19 have been discovered out of 1.7 million people who have been fully vaccinated in W...
Commentary: Governor’s lockdown orders ineffective against outbreak
It has been nearly two months since I issued my personal challenge to Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Robert Ferguson and all elected officials in the ...
Washington halts use of J&J vaccine
SPOKANE — Washington is immediately halting the use of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the coronavirus, following the guidance of the federal government regarding rare side effects in a handful of ...
IRS chief expects new child payments to start this summer
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's a strain, but the head of the IRS said Tuesday he expects to meet the July 1 deadline in the new pandemic relief law for starting a groundbreaking tax program aimed at reducing child poverty.
Poll: 15% of Americans worse off a year into pandemic
While most Americans have weathered the pandemic financially, about 38 million say they are worse off now than before the outbreak began in the U.S.
First cases of ‘California variant’ COVID-19 strain found in Grant County
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Health District officials announced Monday the first three cases of the COVID-19 “California variant,” B.1.429, were confirmed in the first few days of April.
Open market: Local bazaar lets vendors do business again
When the Hale’s Farm and Feed Christmas Bazaar at 1510 Basin St. SW, in Ephrata, was a success, it decided to make the event a regular item.
Grant County sees small decrease in COVID-19
According to the most recent Grant County Health District update, the last two weeks have had a very slight decrease in the COVID-19 incidence rate, with 221 cases per 100,000 people on March 25, down to 184 per ...
Three Washington counties face tighter coronavirus restrictions
Three counties will move back to more strict coronavirus restrictions at the end of the week because of rising cases and hospitalizations, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday.
Groups ask Inslee not to roll counties back to Phase 2
OLYMPIA — A large collection of groups and associations representing businesses across Washington state are asking Gov. Jay Inslee to delay any rollback to Phase 2 when the first evaluation of state COVID-19 data...
Gov. Inslee alters criteria for COVID-19 reopening phases
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday altered the criteria used to determine whether a county moves from one COVID-19 reopening phase to another, making it easier for counties to remain in...