Tracking COVID-19 and the pandemic in Tri-Cities, Washington, and beyond.
COVID-19
Washington Dept. of Health Announces New COVID-19 Sports Guidelines in Wake of Wrestling Tournament Outbreaks
(Olympia, WA) -- All student-athletes in Washington State are now required to get COVID-19 tests three times a week, even if they're vaccinated. The Washington State Department of Health updated its guidelines following an outbreak traced back to some wrestling tournaments earlier this month
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WA Health Officials Link Recent COVID Outbreak to Wrestling Tournaments
(Olympia, WA) -- Washington State Health officials say at least 200 cases of the omicron variant have now been confirmed statewide. King County health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin expects Washington will see a rapid increase in the number of omicron cases in the coming days and weeks
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U.S. Army Medical Team Returns from Idaho After Assisting Kootenai Health with COVID Surge
(Coeur d'Alene, ID) -- A medical team from the U.S. Army is leaving Idaho after helping Kootenai Health through surge of COVID-19 cases. The team of about 20 nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors arrived over Labor Day weekend to alleviate strain on the Idaho healthcare system
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All King County Restaurants Require COVID Vaccination for Dine-In Service
(Olympia, WA) -- If you're planning a trip west of the Cascades, keep in mind all King County restaurants and bars must now verify their patrons' COVID-19 vaccination status before allowing them to dine inside. The requirement first went into effect back on October 25th, but venues that have only 12 seats or less were given extra time to comply
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Oregon Halts Emergency Rental Assistance
(Salem, OR) -- The State of Oregon has paused acceptance of new applications for emergency rental assistance after the Housing and Community Services agency reported that it has allocated all of the $289 million dollars of federal money it received
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Amazon Accused of Underreporting COVID-19 Cases
(Seattle, WA) -- Amazon is being accused of underreporting the number of COVID-19 cases contracted by employees in its U.S. facilities. The labor group Strategic Organizing Center--made up of the Teamsters union, the Service Employees Union, the Communication Workers of America and the United Farm Workers of America--is calling for the federal government to launch an investigation into the online
Portland Public Schools Delays Vote Over COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
(Portland, OR) -- The Portland Public Schools Board will delay its planned vote on a possible COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students. The board meeting was moved online earlier this week after several people in attendance refused to wear masks
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Benton, Spokane Sheriff’s Offices Hiring Without Vaccine Mandate
(Spokane, WA) -- Both the Benton County and Spokane County Sheriff's Office is running a new ad touting its lack of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in an effort to lure in more job candidates. Spokane Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich states the department is looking to hire 20 deputies, and does not require mandatory vaccinations
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Former WSU Football Coach Suing Over Illegal Termination
(Pullman, WA) -- Former Washington State Head Football coach Nick Rolovich will be suing the university for illegal termination. Rolovich and FOURassistant coaches were fired Monday for refusing to comply with Governor Jay Inslee's COVID Vaccine Mandate
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Washington State Patrol Vaccine Mandate Losses
The State Patrol is now short nearly 130 personnel due to the Coronavirus vaccine mandate. This includes 53 civil servants and 74 commissioned officers (67 troopers, 6 sergeants, and 1 captain) that have, for varying reasons, left the force
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