Local health officials say we’re not ready to lift restrictions

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- The pressure is increasing on Gov. Jay Inslee to relax his Stay Home, Stay Health order-- at least in part. However, local health officials say Benton and Franklin Counties are not yet ready for that step.

"Cases are still increasing in both Benton and Franklin Counties," said Rick Dawson with the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD). "The curve is still on the way up, and certainly hasn't flattened, so we have some concern with doing that. Not only because we aren't in a safe place, but also that if we release and relax these restrictions, we may see a significant increase in cases."

On Thursday, the health agency reported 23 new cases of coronavirus in Benton and Franklin Counties, bringing the total to 763. Three new deaths from coronavirus-related complications were also reported, bringing the bi-county total to 42.

Those deaths were reported to be a Benton County woman in her eighties, a Franklin County man in his sixties, and a Benton County man in his nineties, all with underlying health conditions.

The number of cases could rise in the coming days as the health district works with Tyson Foods to test all 1,400 of its workers at a Wallula meat packing plant. So far, BFHD has confirmed 95 cases of coronavirus at the facility, while the Walla Walla Department of Community Health has confirmed 9 cases.

"Currently, we're seeing an increase in hospitalizations, we're seeing an increase in emergency room visits, and we're also seeing an increase in emergency medical services calls over the last week or so, so we think that things are not quite where we would them to be to start relaxing restrictions," Dawson said.

On Tuesday, Franklin County Commissioners had voted unanimously to declare that Gov. Jay Inslee had exceeded his authority to continue with a state-wide Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, and encouraged non-essential county businesses to re-open. Commissioners voted 2-to-1 Thrusday morning to rescind that vote. According to social media postings from BFHD, commissioners had not consulted with local health officials before making Tuesday's decision

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Benton County Commissioners issued a statement Wednesday saying that while they'll continue to comply with the governor's orders to keep non-essential businesses closed, they are putting pressure on Inslee's office to at least provide a clear and detailed plan for re-opening the state's economy.