Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that all employees in K-12 and higher education will be required to be fully vaccinated by mid-October. Inslee also announced an expansion of the statewide indoor mask mandate to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. In response to rapidly rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, Inslee said during an Aug. 18 press conference…
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are accelerating across Washington state, and the state health department says that unvaccinated people are being hit hardest. Officials are urging those who have not yet received the shot to get vaccinated, and also say now is the time to redouble efforts around the key behaviors that keep the virus from…
Beginning this Thursday, everyone in Snohomish County, age 5 and up, “must wear masks in indoor public places.” County leaders say new COVID-19 cases are surging, hospital intensive care units are now 90% full and positive test rates jumped from 2-3% of people tested to more than 10% now. The mask directive issued by the…
Gov. Jay Inslee Monday announced a requirement for most state workers, as well as on-site contractors and volunteers, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until Oct. 18 to be fully vaccinated. The requirement applies to state workers,…
Snohomish County fire agencies said Thursday they are stepping up measures to protect firefighters and the communities they serve from a dangerous new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As frontline health care workers, firefighters play a vital role in responding to COVID-19, which has killed more than 600 people and sickened more than 40,000 in…
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mike Fong as the county’s chief recovery and resilience officer and senior advisor. Fong will serve as a member of the executive’s leadership team and cabinet. Fong is currently the senior deputy mayor of Seattle, serving under Mayor Jenny Durkan, and has previously served…
The Edmonds City Council on Monday issued the following guidance for those attending council meetings in person, effective immediately: Based on guidelines from the CDC, individuals who wish to attend meetings in the council chambers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask and must adhere to the following: Abide by limited seating in the council…
The City of Edmonds invites Edmonds-based nonprofit organizations serving Edmonds residents to apply for one-time grant funding to offset financial losses due to prolonged closures, cutbacks, loss of business or other factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The money comes through the Edmonds Rescue Plan Fund, approved by the Edmonds City Council on July 20…
The City of Edmonds said Friday it has returned to requiring employees who are working indoors to wear a mask or face covering regardless of vaccination status. The policy, which became effective Wednesday, July 28, is aimed at ensuring the safety of city employees and reducing workplace transmission of COVID-19, the city said. Employees will…
The Washington State Department of Health Wednesday released updated guidance for the 2021-2022 school year aimed at helping students, teachers and staff return safely to the classroom. The department said in a news release that its guidance “aims to minimize transmission and maximize in-person instruction and is informed by the latest science, recently released Centers…
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COVID-19 case rates have increased in recent weeks and Snohomish County health officials are recommending that all residents wear masks when in indoor public settings such as grocery and retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues where the vaccination status of other people is unknown. Snohomish County’s Chief Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters — along with…
For 18 months – more than 500 days – Dr. Chris Spitters was at ‘ground zero’ of the COVID pandemic. Spitters, Snohomish County’s Chief Health Officer, and his staff scrambled to confront this deadly unknown and help county residents through it. Spitters had been the Snohomish Health District’s “interim” chief health officer for seven months; he wasn’t…
Jan. 21, 2020 was the day our world turned upside down. It was the day that Snohomish County discovered the first case of coronavirus in the U.S. An Everett man who had traveled to Wuhan, China became America’s “patient zero. On Tuesday — 527 days later — county leaders held their last scheduled COVID-19 briefing….
Edmonds College announced that it will continue to serve students remotely through Aug. 1 “for the health and safety of our campus community.” The exception will be a few hands-on, on-campus classes, the college said. Summer quarter classes begin July 6, and face coverings are required when on campus. The college will begin offering limited…
Mass vaccination sites in Snohomish County are closing after six months and more than 318,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered. In making the announcement Thursday, the Snohomish Health District notes that while “vaccination against COVID-19 remains vital,” vaccine supply has stabilized, demand is down and other providers such as clinics or pharmacies are in a…
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced Wednesday that with the lifting of pandemic restrictions, Snohomish County government facilities will reopen to the public Tuesday, July 6. When visiting county facilities, visitors and staff are required to follow Washington state and Snohomish Health District guidelines, including wearing masks if unvaccinated. “Snohomish County residents can be proud…
As Washington State officially prepares to reopen Wednesday after residents have spent more than a year living with COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Jay Inslee said the state still has “work to do” and the State Department of Health reminds people that masks will still be required in some places. “Washington has come a long way since…
“It feels great.” That’s how Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers put it as the county and the state get ready to end COVID restrictions. In his weekly COVID briefing, Somers added, “Let’s get out and enjoy summer as safely as possible.” Governor Inslee has set next Wednesday, June 30 as the day the state fully…
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers Tuesday proposed ordinances to the Snohomish County Council to provide supplemental pay to front-line, public-facing county employees and certain grocery workers in unincorporated Snohomish County. With the re-opening of businesses later this month, the tightening labor market and the spread of new variants, this supplemental pay will ensure essential government…
After being closed for more than a year to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Edmonds is aiming to reopen city buildings the week of July 12. Coordinating with that date, the Edmonds City Council is also looking to begin in-person council meetings that week. City Council President Susan Paine said…
Starting June 7, City of Edmonds employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have the option of going without masks at work. The city announced Friday that employees can request an exemption from wearing a mask and social distancing in the workplace. This is in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement that Washington State would…
Gov. Jay Inslee Thursday announced new incentives to help encourage unvaccinated Washingtonians to get the COVID shot. The Washington State Lottery will be conducting a “Shot of a Lifetime” giveaway series during the month of June, working with state agencies, technology companies, sports teams and higher education institutions across the state to offer a myriad…
The coronavirus pandemic has brought a year of transition to Sno-Isle Libraries, and June will see more changes as public health rules are expected to ease. Throughout the pandemic, Sno-Isle Libraries staff have been working on ways to bring more services to customers with contact-free delivery options, online programs and events, and the gradual reintroduction…
The Washington State Department of Health has launched a new mobile vaccine service called “Care-A-Van” that will deliver vaccines to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The department said it is working closely to support community partners and local health jurisdictions to increase vaccine access for priority communities, which include: Counties with higher vaccine gaps by…
Edmonds United Methodist Church will be hosting a COVID Pfizer vaccination clinic that will be run by the Snohomish Health District on Wednesday, June 2 from 5-7 p.m. A second dose will be guaranteed on June 23. All people age 12 and up are welcome. There is no ID required. Spanish language translation will be offered onsite. Walk ups…
