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…
Unemployment claims rise rapidly
OLYMPIA — Last week, unemployment insurance claims in the state rose by over 2,346 percent since the end of February due to the closures mandated by public officials following the coronavirus outbreak.
Most Grant County road work to go ahead as planned
EPHRATA — While the COVID-19 outbreak has postponed some planned repairs to Grant County roads, most of the work will continue as scheduled.
Coroner’s office taking extra precautions during pandemic
GRANT COUNTY — As with health care workers and first responders adapting to the current pandemic, the coroner’s office, which is tasked with investigating deaths that occur outside of hospitals, has had to take ext…
Grant County to get COVID-19 grant
GRANT COUNTY - Grant County is expected to receive an estimated $145,270 block grant from the state Department of Commerce to assist people and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press rel…
Coronavirus: 59 cases in Grant County, Warden reports its first
59 cases, with new cases in most cities and the first confirmed case in Warden
Coronavirus: 50 confirmed cases, first in Soap Lake
50 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Saturday evening, with the first confirmed case in Soap Lake
Coronavirus: Two new Othello cases, patient hospitalized
OTHELLO - Two more cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Othello, bringing the total cases in that city and Adams County to five, according to the Adams County Health Department.
Coronavirus: 44 cases countywide, new cases in Mattawa and Quincy
GRANT COUNTY - There are now 44 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County, including two new cases in Mattawa and three in Quincy, according to …
MLSD dealing with move to online learning
MOSES LAKE — Following Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to close schools statewide two weeks ago, the Moses Lake School District is off to a bumpy but solid start teaching students and keeping them fed, according to Superin…
Coronavirus: 39 cases in Grant County, two more in Moses, Ephrata and Quincy
39 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County
Inslee: COVID slowing, but state has not turned corner
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday that the rate of increase in COVID-19 cases in Washington state appears to have started slowing.
Sandbox Bookstore focuses on deliveries as small businesses struggle under COVID-19 measures
MOSES LAKE — Heidi Gales, like many small-business owners in the Columbia Basin, in recent weeks tried to think of ways to continue to help the community after…
Local theater companies postpone April plays
MOSES LAKE — The COVID-19 outbreak has led to the postponement of two local theater productions.
In-person cookie sales ruled out for Girl Scouts amid COVID-19 outbreak
OLYMPIA — Around this time every year, Girl Scout troops, volunteers and organization officials across the region coordinate an effort to sell their famous coo…
State departments, local organizations prepare help for business owners, workers
MOSES LAKE — There is help for workers and business people alike who have seen major slowdowns in business as a result of the response to the coronavirus pandemic, though the details of many disaster-related assist…