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…
COVID-19 pet boom has veterinarians backlogged, burned out
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — During the gloomiest stretches of the pandemic, Dr. Diona Krahn's veterinary clinic has been a puppy fest, overrun with new four-legged patients.
Younger adolescents get ready to receive COVID-19 vaccine
MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Parents, schools and vaccine clinics rushed to begin inoculating younger adolescents Tuesday after U.S. regulators endorsed Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12, a decision see…
State updates emergency rules for ag worker housing
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries and the state Department of Health on Friday updated emergency rules intended to protect laborers living in temporary farmworker housing from the coronavirus, L&I ann…
Drug overdoses skyrocket in Washington state amid COVID
SEATTLE (AP) — More people in Washington state died of drug overdoses in 2020 than any year in at least the past decade, with the surge likely driven by the effects of the pandemic, state health officials said.
Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12
U.S. regulators on Monday expanded the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12, offering a way to protect the nation's adolescents before they head back to school in the fall and paving the way …
Warden Elementary closed after coronavirus exposure
WARDEN — Warden Elementary School students returned to in-person learning today, with the exception of two classes in remote instruction, after an elementary s…
After court nixes eviction ban, race is on for federal help
BOSTON (AP) — The recent court ruling striking down a national eviction moratorium has heightened concerns that tenants won't receive tens of billions of dollars in promised federal aid in time to avoid getting kic…
Tearful reunions mark second Mother's Day under pandemic
Last Mother's Day, they celebrated with bacon and eggs over FaceTime. This time, Jean Codianni of Los Angeles flew to New Jersey to surprise her 74-year-old mother, now that both have been vaccinated against the di…
Mother’s Day 2021: Brunch is back; flowers always a hit
MOSES LAKE — There’s not going to be a buffet at the Porterhouse Steakhouse this year for Mother’s Day like there usually is.
Hospitality association calls for reopening, pushes petition
The Washington Hospitality Association is asking Gov. Jay Inslee to reopen the state by June 15 and for residents to sign a petition urging him to do so.
Western, Central Washington universities to require vaccines
BELLINGHAM (AP) — Western Washington University in Bellingham and Central Washington University in Ellensburg will require students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when in-person classes begin …
Health officials slightly optimistic about progress
OLYMPIA — Washington state health officials are guardedly optimistic about the progress being made against the COVID-19 pandemic, but are focusing on getting a…
Ybarra urges people to get COVID-19 vaccine
ROYAL CITY — State Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, said he’s getting the COVID-19 vaccination in part because he wants to promote vaccinations, especially among th…
US backs waiving intellectual property rules on vaccines
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday joined calls for more sharing of the technology behind COVID-19 vaccines to help speed the end of the pandemic, a shift that puts the U.S. alongside many in t…
No rollback: Inslee puts two-week pause on phase changes for counties
OLYMPIA — Grant County will not move down to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 recovery plan this week.