Three counties roll back to Phase 2

OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee Monday announced that three Washington State counties would roll back to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington reopening plan after failing to meet the necessary metrics.

The three counties returning to Phase 2 are Cowlitz County, Pierce County, and Whitman County.

“These metric trends are driven by the virus, and we must continue to do everything we can to sharpen our focus and keep COVID-19 activity down. We are so close to the end of the tunnel here — we have made tremendous progress, and we must keep our focus,” Inslee said. “It’s like a football game; we have done 95 yards on a 99 yard-drive. We can’t let up now. These are not punitive actions; they are to save lives and protect public health.”

“Vaccine is a crucial tool that will help us end the pandemic, but it isn’t the only tool, and we don’t yet have enough Washingtonians fully vaccinated to rely on this alone to keep our communities safe from the virus,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, deputy secretary for COVID-19 response, Department of Health. “We need to focus on lowering disease transmission in the next several weeks ahead as we continue our vaccination efforts in order to avoid a fourth surge of cases. This means wearing masks, watching our distancing, and keeping gatherings small and outdoors.”

On April 9, Inslee announced updates to the Healthy Washington criteria. To move down one phase, a county must fail both metrics for case counts and hospitalizations. Under the previous plan, a county only needed to fail one metric to move back a phase.

In order to remain in Phase 3, Walla Walla County must meet the Larger County metrics (populations of 50,000 and above), which require less than 200 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 within 14 days, and less than five new COVID-19 hospitalizations per week. Walla Walla County is just above 50% of the allowed cases per week, but is not currently at risk of moving back a phase.

Columbia County must meet the metrics for Smaller Counties, which require less than 100 new COVID-19 over the course of 14 days, and no more than three new hospitalizations per week. Columbia County currently falls within the acceptable metrics.

As of Tuesday, April 13, there have been 76 COVID-19 cases reported in Waitsburg. The Times was recently made aware of possible exposure at a local restaurant and will follow the situation as it develops. According to the Federal Drug Administration, there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmissible through food, however, surface transmission may be possible if proper precautions are not followed.

Food and retail establishments that have an employee test positive should have all employees who had direct contact with the individual quarantine for seven days before being be tested. Employees may also quarantine for 10 days, and may return to work if they show no symptoms of COVID-19.

Even with vaccination rates rising, face masks remain a crucial tool in combating the COVID-19 virus. COVID-19 is highly transmissible through respiratory droplets, which are largely projected when coughing, sneezing, talking, and singing. When worn correctly, covering both the nose and the mouth, surgical face masks act as a barrier against the droplets.

Starting Thursday, April 15, all Washingtonians 16 years old and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. The increased vaccination rate, continued mask usage, physical distancing, and adherence to reopening guidance in all counties will hopefully help in preventing a rise in COVID-19 case numbers.