Coronavirus outbreak

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. [CDC]

What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance

With links to official information.

 

Commercial Aircraft Interiors General Manager James Barnett stands in a warehouse aisle of 777 overhead bins at the company's new building on Monday, May 20, 2019 in Arlington, Wash. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

12 Snohomish County aero firms get $19M for job protection

The Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection grants could save 2,280 Washington jobs for up to six months.

 

Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provides an update on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday. (Snohomish Health District)

Local hospitals continue to fill while COVID cases plateau

Meanwhile, cases are popping up at Snohomish County schools, causing many to quarantine at home.

 

A sign that reads "No Jab" is held by a person taking part in a demonstration opposing mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates outside the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Thousands of state workers seek exemptions to vaccine mandate

Not everyone who applies for an exemption will be granted one.

A sign that reads "No Jab" is held by a person taking part in a demonstration opposing mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates outside the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Adam Cornell

County prosecutor, judges impose vaccine mandate on workers

Employees must comply by Nov. 1 in superior and district courts and Nov. 15 in the prosecutor’s office.

Adam Cornell
Protesters who oppose mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates gather outside the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Police, prison officers, ferry workers sue over vax mandate.

More than 90 workers filed the case in Walla Walla County, saying the mandate is unconstitutional.

Protesters who oppose mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates gather outside the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Snohomish man allegedly assaulted brother over vaccine

A fight over COVID-19 vaccinations ended with minor injuries, hurt feelings and one man in jail.

Anti-mask protesters return to Vancouver school

Protesters returned to the grounds of a Vancouver high school on Friday despite a court order.

One union OKs deal with state on governor’s vaccine mandate

Talks continue with other unions amid concern there might be a worker exodus ahead of the Oct. 18 deadline.

King County to fund theaters, arts with $20M in COVID aid

The federal COVID-19 recovery funds will go to theaters, music venues, clubs and other spaces.

Commentary

Comment: Study shows masks work, widespread use is possible

Research in Bangladesh confirmed masks cut the spread of covid and hit on ways to promote their use.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after speaking at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. The governor also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Masks required at big outdoor events; vax mandates expanded

The governor’s mask order, which takes effect Monday, comes as COVID-19 infections rise and hospital ICUs fill up.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after speaking at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. The governor also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Commentary

Comment: Travel during pandemic is a disaster; it shouldn’t be

Relaxing restrictions, while requiring vaccination, could aid tourism and efforts against covid.

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2021, file photo, Ann Enderle R.N. checks on a COVID-19 patient in the Medical Intensive care unit (MICU) at St. Luke's Boise Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. Idaho public health leaders have activated "crisis standards of care" for the state's northern hospitals because there are more coronavirus patients than the institutions can handle. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare made the announcement Tuesday, Sept. 7. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)

Idaho hospitals begin rationing health care amid COVID surge

Cases have skyrocketed in the state, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S.

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2021, file photo, Ann Enderle R.N. checks on a COVID-19 patient in the Medical Intensive care unit (MICU) at St. Luke's Boise Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. Idaho public health leaders have activated "crisis standards of care" for the state's northern hospitals because there are more coronavirus patients than the institutions can handle. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare made the announcement Tuesday, Sept. 7. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Commentary

Comment: It’s simple; getting covid vaccine can save your life

News of ‘breakthrough’ cases for the vaccinated doesn’t change vaccines’ safety and effectiveness.

Commentary

Comment: Why vaccine skeptics are all in for ivermectin

Convinced of medical science’s alleged ulterior motives, skeptics would rather trust their own ‘research.’

What you need to know about COVID-19 booster shots

A third dose, or a booster vaccine against COVID, will likely work similar to the annual flu shot.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (left) and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provide updates on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday. (Snohomish Health District)

We just surpassed last winter’s coronavirus infection rate

County officials, meanwhile, are considering an outdoor-event mask requirement and vaccine verification.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (left) and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provide updates on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday. (Snohomish Health District)
Pam Woods of Marysville along with others gather outside the Capitol to protest Gov. Jay Inslee's vaccine mandate for state workers, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 in Olympia, Wash. (Drew Perine/The News Tribune via AP)

State workers get incentive to comply with vaccine mandate

An agreement between the state and their union also provides for some leeway in meeting the deadline.

Pam Woods of Marysville along with others gather outside the Capitol to protest Gov. Jay Inslee's vaccine mandate for state workers, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 in Olympia, Wash. (Drew Perine/The News Tribune via AP)
Several audience members refused to wear a mask or leave the building after Oak Harbor School Board President John Diamond asked them to comply with Gov. Inslee’s indoor mask mandate during the Aug. 30 meeting. (Jason Uemoto, file)

Oak Harbor school board disrupted a 2nd time by anti-maskers

Future meetings will be virtual “for the safety of staff, students and community,” the district said.

Several audience members refused to wear a mask or leave the building after Oak Harbor School Board President John Diamond asked them to comply with Gov. Inslee’s indoor mask mandate during the Aug. 30 meeting. (Jason Uemoto, file)
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