As omicron spreads, businesses voluntarily increase COVID precautions

As the omicron variant spreads more and more businesses are implementing their own safety precautions, including requirements for proof of vaccination.

Student-led walkout calls for increased COVID-19 safety measures in Seattle schools

Students in Seattle joined others across the country participating in "sickouts" and "walkouts" to demonstrate their call for increased COVID-19 safety measures in schools. 

Pfizer: Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine human trials to begin late January

Pfizer confirmed it plans to start human trials of its omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine later this month, potentially making it available to the public as soon as March.

Alaska Airlines reduces January flights by about 10% as omicron cases surge

Alaska Airlines said Thursday it will trim its schedule by about 10% for the rest of January as it deals with "unprecedented" numbers of employees calling in sick during the current COVID-19 surge.

Record weekly COVID-19 cases reported worldwide but fewer deaths, WHO says

The World Health Organization noted a 71% increase from the previous 7-day period that the U.N. health agency likened to a “tsunami.”

Seattle University extends remote learning through Jan. 30

Seattle University announced that winter quarter will be virtual throughout the month of January in response to the rapid spread of the omicron variant. 

New COVID quarantine and isolation site opens in Auburn as cases rise

King County's Department of Community and Human Services opened a temporary quarantine and isolation site in Auburn as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. 

Temporary site opens in Puyallup to help increase COVID-19 testing availability

A new drive-thru COVID-19 test site opened Monday at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. The location’s first day saw a full parking lot hours before it opened. 

Some COVID testing sites close Monday due to full capacity

Some COVID-19 testing sites in western Washington have closed for the day on Monday after reaching full capacity as demand for testing increases.

Visitation restrictions in effect at Olympia, Centralia hospitals

Providence Southwest Hospitals announced that it was updating its visitation policy in response to help control the spread of the omicron variant, and to protect caregivers and patients. 

US children hospitalized with COVID in near-record numbers

The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers, and experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.

Seattle Pacific University switching to online learning over Omicron concerns

Seattle Pacific University is switching to online learning for the first week of the winter quarter as a precautionary measure as the COVID Omicron variant spreads in King County.

Washington reports record number of COVID infections

The Washington Department of Health has reported a new record number of COVID-19 infections tallied in a single day. On December 24, officials confirmed 6,235 cases.

Severe weather closes several Western Washington COVID-19 testing sites Monday

Several COVID-19 testing sites across the region were closed Monday due to the severe weather conditions  following this weekend's snow storm.