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…
A city wrestled down an addiction crisis. Then came COVID-19
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (AP) — Larrecsa Cox steered past the used tire shop, where a young man had collapsed a few days before, the syringe he'd used to shoot heroin still clenched in his fist.
Biden makes all adults eligible for a vaccine on April 19
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said he's bumping up his deadline by two weeks for states to make all adults in the U.S. eligible for coronavirus vaccine…
Nearly half of new US virus infections are in just 5 states
Nearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states — a situation that is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses t…
Official: EU agency to confirm AstraZeneca blood clot link
ROME (AP) — A top official at the European Medicines Agency says there's a causal link between AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine and rare blood clots, but that it's unclear what the connection is and that the benef…
European countries scramble to tamp down latest virus surge
BOCHNIA, Poland (AP) — European countries scrambled Monday to tamp down a surge in COVID-19 cases and ramp up vaccinations, hoping to spare hospitals from beco…
North Korea says it won't participate in Tokyo Olympics over COVID-19 fears
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea became the first country to drop out of the Tokyo Olympics because of coronavirus fears, a decision that underscores the challenges facing Japan as it struggles to stage a glob…
UK to ease lockdown next week, will test vaccine passports
LONDON (AP) — Britain's slow but steady march out of a three-month lockdown remains on track even as coronavirus cases surge elsewhere in Europe, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday, as he confirmed that …
Learning, sharing: New Grant County Health District spokesperson keeps public informed
Misty Aguilar said her career in communication started with her desire to learn.
Hymns through masks: Christians mark another pandemic Easter
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Christianity's most joyous feast day was celebrated worldwide with the faithful spaced apart in pews and singing choruses of "Hallelujah" t…
UK eyes testing COVID-19 passports at mass gatherings
LONDON (AP) — Britain is planning to test a series of measures including "coronavirus status certifications" over the coming weeks to see if they can allow people to safely return to mass gatherings at sports arena…
MLSD grade-schoolers to go back full time April 19
Most students in the Moses Lake School District (MLSD) are going back to school full-time beginning April 19.
Some Easter egg hunts slated to take place this weekend
The COVID-19 outbreak is still putting a damper on activities, but some Easter egg hunts are on Saturday, one way or another.
At Easter, churches adapt to changing conditions
Church observances for Easter 2021, like Easter 2020, will have restrictions due to COVID-19, but church congregations have adapted to changing conditions.
Vaccine eligibility to expand on April 15
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that as of April 15, all Washington residents older than 16 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.
Local lawmakers support ending state of emergency
Some Republican legislators, including those in the Basin area, are requesting to end the governor’s state of emergency before the legislative session concludes through a letter addressed to the majority and minori…