Delta variant drives dramatic spike in cases, exhausting hospital capacity across the state

OLYMPIA—COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are accelerating across the state of Washington, demonstrating the delta variant’s potential to unravel the state’s hard-fought progress toward recovery. Unvaccinated people have been hit hardest, and public health officials continue to urge everyone who are not fully vaccinated to do so immediately.

Now is also the time to redouble efforts around the key behaviors that keep the virus from spreading. All people should:

Wear a mask, watch distance, wash hands often, carry hand sanitizer, and enable WA Notify on phones

Keep gatherings small and outside...