NW Folklife Festival COVID protocols provide a look at what festival season could look like in 2022
The Northwest Folklife Festival has been virtual for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year they have new protocols in place to deal with the virus so in-person events are once again part of the celebration .
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept. reports 91 cases of COVID at 23 childcare facilities
In the last month, COVID outbreaks at businesses and childcare facilities have more than doubled in Pierce County, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD).
Inslee drops COVID-19 vaccine requirement for outdoor contractors, volunteers, wildland firefighters
Washington Governor Jay Inslee on Friday dropped the vaccine requirement for outdoor contractors and volunteers - just ahead of wildfire season.
Not enough Americans taking advantage of government assistance to pay COVID-19 funeral costs
The federal government has provided more than $2 billion to help cover funeral costs for more than 300,000 families of people who died from COVID-19, so far.
Poll: 1 in 3 Americans say COVID-19 is over amid rising cases
This poll comes as nearly every state experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases. Yet, daily cases are still well below the all-time high reached during the winter.
WSU researchers find way to reuse disposable masks to improve concrete
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a way to reuse single-use disposable masks – by making concrete more durable.
Some held at Tacoma ICE detention center fear COVID spread
Nine people held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma have joined in a hunger strike to protest what they say are unclean conditions amid worries about a COVID spread.
A third of US should be considering masks amid rise in COVID-19 cases, officials say
Increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are putting more of the U.S. under guidelines issued by the CDC that call for masking and other infection precautions.
COVID-19 infections surging in some Washington counties
Clallam and San Juan counties have been rated 'high risk' for contracting COVID-19 by the CDC. King, Snohomish and Jefferson counties have moved into the 'medium risk' category.
Issaquah elementary school closes Monday, too many staff have COVID
Sunset Elementary School in the Issaquah School District is closed for classes, as too many teachers are out sick from COVID.
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day kicks off for the first time in 2 years
For the first time in two years, a massive West Seattle Community Garage Sale is reconnecting neighbors, supporting good causes and showcasing some great local talent, too.
4 Air Force cadets may not graduate due to vaccine refusal
It's the only military academy, so far, where cadets may not graduate for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Washington doctors concerned over rise in COVID hospitalizations
On the path forward and out of the pandemic, the line looks a little blurry as COVID cases continue to rise in Western Washington, and local doctors are sounding the alarm as hospitalizations are on the rise.
Childhood immunizations fell 13% during pandemic, DOH says
Now is the time to get your kids up to date on vaccinations, health officials say, as routine childhood immunizations fell 13% in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Massive backlog of appeals from Employment Security Department affecting about 22,000 Washingtonians
After historic jobless claims in Washington State during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is now working on a massive backlog of appeals from the Employment Security Department (ESD).
Omicron subvariant a factor in Skagit County’s 111% jump in COVID case rate
According to CDC guidelines, Skagit County is now in a "substantial" transmission level, up from a moderate level last week. Health officials say omicron subvariants are driving this sharp rises in cases.
Skagit County moves to 'Substantial' COVID transmission level
Skagit County has moved to a "Substantial" COVID transmission level Thursday, up from "Moderate" last week.
Nearly 15M deaths associated with COVID-19, World Health Organization says
Scientists estimate there were between 13.3 million and 16.6 million deaths that were either caused directly by the coronavirus or were somehow attributed to the pandemic’s impact on health systems.
Snohomish County hits ‘medium’ COVID-19 level
Snohomish County health officials announced that the county has reached "medium" levels of COVID-19.
Man pleads guilty to stealing more than $600,000 of COVID unemployment benefits in Tacoma
A Nigerian citizen, and former Nigerian government aide, pleaded guilty to COVID-19 unemployment fraud on 18 states in Tacoma on Tuesday.