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…
Inslee requires masks in all businesses, pauses reopening process statewide
OLYMPIA – Businesses will no longer be able to serve customers without a face mask, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.
Adams County COVID-19 numbers rise
Adams County COVID-19 numbers rise
Coronavirus: Thirteen new cases in Grant County
GRANT COUNTY — There were 13 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Thursday: five new cases in Moses Lake; two in Ephrata; two in the Quincy area; and one each in the Mattawa area, Royal City, So…
Othello receives federal grant money
Othello has been awarded roughly $250,000 in federal grants as part of the massive COVID-19 relief package Congress passed in April. According to Mayor Shawn Logan, a portion of the grant can be used to recoup the …
Coronavirus: 10 new cases
GRANT COUNTY — There were 10 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Wednesday: three new cases in the Mattawa area, three in Royal City, two in the Quincy area, one in Ephrata and one in Warden, a…
Fitness center cited, fined for operating while county is in Phase 1
YAKIMA COUNTY — A fitness center near Yakima faces a fine of $9,639 for operating in violation of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start order, according to Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Surf ‘n Slide water park won’t be open for July 4
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials announced Wednesday that the Surf ‘n Slide water park won’t open in time for the July 4 holiday weekend.
Face coverings required in Grant County facilities
EPHRATA — Face masks will be required for all people entering a Grant County facility. County commissioners announced Tuesday that members of the public will b…
Coronavirus: 3 new cases; 82 percent of all cases symptomatic
GRANT COUNTY — There were three new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Tuesday — one case each in Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden — according to Grant County Health District.
Public health officers have broad powers under law
GRANT COUNTY — Washington state law is clear that health officers, such as Grant County’s Alexander Brzezny, have vast powers to respond to pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak.
County allocates funds from federal relief
EPHRATA — Grant County announced it is setting aside $2.5 million for grants to small businesses across the county. The money is taken from $5.4 million in federal coronavirus relief for the county government.
Experts warn of COVID-19 ‘caution fatigue’
MOSES LAKE — It’s been 12 weeks since Gov. Jay Inslee issued his “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, effectively shutting down Washington in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19: Three-day total is 33 new cases
GRANT COUNTY — There were 33 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Monday and covering the weekend: 12 cases on Saturday, 10 on Sunday and 11 on Monday,
State likely to seek loan to keep jobless fund solvent
Washington state could make a request for a federal loan as soon as August or September to secure funds by the end of the year in order to keep its unemployment trust fund solvent as it continues to pay out benefit…
Inslee puts brakes on Phase 4
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says he's pausing moving counties to the fourth phase of his reopening plan as coronavirus cases continue to increase