Snohomish County has a new mask mandate. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)

Snohomish County has a new mask mandate. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)

County health officer enacts indoor mask requirement

Starting Thursday, everyone 5 and up, vaccinated or not, must wear a mask in public indoor spaces.

EVERETT — Masks are required again.

Starting Thursday, all Snohomish County residents 5 and older, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask in public indoor spaces, like grocery stores, retail shops and gyms, under a new directive from Snohomish Health District health officer Dr. Chris Spitters.

In late July, Spitters issued an indoor masking recommendation. Now it’s a requirement.

“We want to remove any ambiguity as to what the desired action is, that’s that we all wear a mask in public settings,” Spitters said during a media briefing Tuesday. “It’s good for people’s health and it’s good for businesses in the long run.”

Spitters’ order does not apply to private indoor spaces like office buildings with little public interaction, or outdoor settings. And the health district won’t be enforcing it.

For weeks, Spitters and other public health experts across the state have begged people, especially the unvaccinated, to wear masks when indoors, as case rates reach alarming levels.

“One of my greatest concerns is our collective exhaustion with this pandemic,” Spitters said. “It’s exhausting, and we all want it to be over, but it’s not.”

The county’s latest two-week case count recorded 279 new infections per 100,000 people. Weeks ago, it was 80 per 100,000.

And hospitalizations continue to rise, causing health experts to worry whether the medical system can handle the current wave.

As of Tuesday, 62 people were in county hospitals due to COVID-19, Spitters said. On July 24, there were 22 hospitalized COVID patients.

To make matters worse, local hospitals are seeing a non-COVID surge in patients, partially because people are catching up on medical care they put off during the earlier months of the pandemic.

Those factors combined have intensive care units operating above 90% capacity, leaving little room for new patients.

Fortunately, Spitters said, the county hasn’t seen an increase in the number of weekly COVID deaths. However, such a rise would usually occur a few weeks after a jump in hospitalizations.

Wearing masks is the fastest way to stunt what is now a fifth wave of the disease, he added.

He cited a study from the University of Washington that found universal masking would reduce the number of COVID deaths between now and December by 1,500, including 150 in Snohomish County.

“It’s in our hands,” Spitters said. “We can bend this curve, as we’ve done before.”

The best long-term protection, he added, is getting a shot.

In July, case rates and hospitalizations for vaccinated Snohomish County residents were one-tenth of those for the unvaccinated, he said.

“But only 54% of the total county population has completed vaccination and is benefiting from that,” Spitters said. That figure includes children 12 and under who are ineligible.

On Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced requirements for state employees and staff at long-term care homes to get vaccinated.

Additionally, Providence, which operates several hospitals, including one in Everett, is requiring all employees to get vaccinated and show proof of vaccination by Sept. 30. Those unable to be vaccinated will face new protocols, such as enhanced COVID testing.

In Snohomish County, Executive Dave Somers said he’s considering a similar vaccine requirement for county employees, but no decision has been made.

Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.