COVID-19 NEWS
Keep up with all the fast-moving novel coronavirus news, particularly as it impacts the Columbia Basin.
COVID-19 update
RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department administrators have reported another death related to COVID-19, raising…
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 wo…
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 10…
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 u…
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 t…
Top Chinese official admits vaccines have low effectiveness
BEIJING (AP) — China's top disease control official, in a rare acknowledgement, said current vaccines offer low protection against the coronavirus and mixing them is among strategies being considered to boost their…
Rollback ahead? Inslee warns of potential for some counties to return to Phase 2 next week
Gov. Jay Inslee said rising case numbers have led to concerns that “several counties” may go back to Phase 2.
Senate passes bill banning no-cause evictions, 28-21
Landlords may be required to provide reasoning before ending a tenancy if a bill is signed into law during this year’s state legislative session. The Senate pa…
Countries worldwide hit new records for virus cases, deaths
Ambulances filled with breathless patients lined up in Brazil as nations around the world set new records Thursday for COVID-19 deaths and new coronavirus infections. The disease surged even in some countries that …
Summoning seniors: Big new push to vaccinate older Americans
CLARKSDALE, Miss. (AP) — The first hurdle was getting on the bus. Seventy-four-year-old Linda Busby hesitated outside a community center where older people wer…
UK advises limiting AstraZeneca in under-30s amid clot worry
LONDON (AP) — British authorities recommended Wednesday that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine not be given to adults under 30 where possible because of strengthening evidence that the shot may be linked to rare blo…