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…
Cancellations continue for ML school bus routes due to COVID-19
The Moses Lake School District canceled eight bus routes Monday morning in response to bus drivers and bus driver assistants who had COVID-19 or reported close…
Off the road: MLSD forced to cancel bus routes due to COVID-19, seeks substitute drivers
The Moses Lake School District was forced to cancel 13 bus routes on Wednesday, 15 Thursday and another dozen on Friday after bus drivers and bus driver assist…
Inslee activates Washington National Guard due to omicron
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced during a Thursday afternoon press conference he is activating 100 Washington National Guard troops to help in hospitals an…
COVID-19 hospitalizations down, transmission rate ‘high’
The number of COVID-19 patients at Samaritan Hospital has declined in recent weeks, with Wednesday’s total at three, the most recent information available.
MLSD facing sub shortage
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District is facing a shortage of substitute teachers after about 30% of its substitute staff failed to comply with the distr…
Health district announces more COVID-19 deaths
Twenty-seven residents died from COVID-19 in October and November, bringing Grant County’s total to 212 and one pending, the Grant County Health District announced Wednesday.
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 Grant and Adams counties have a high community…
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-19…
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 antibodie…
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 th…
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 Contr…
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 sai…
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 count…