Today’s ongoing COVID-19 news and updates

— from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray —

Numbers. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.

Kittitas County approved to move to Phase 3 of Safe Start plan. Today Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved Kittitas County to move to Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan.

A total of three counties are in Phase 1, two counties are in a modified version of Phase 1, 18 counties are in Phase 2 and 16 counties are in Phase 3.

Kitsap and Thurston counties have applied to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3, and Cowlitz and Walla Walla have applied to move from Phase 2 to a modified version of Phase 3. Benton and Franklin counties have applied to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2, and their applications are currently on pause. The department is working with local officials to discuss next steps.

For the latest information on county variance applications visit here. 

Inslee announces face coverings will be required statewide. Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman held a press conference today to announce a new statewide order that will require face coverings. Effective June 26, the order will require individuals to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces such as stores, offices and restaurants. The order also requires face coverings outdoors when individuals can’t stay 6 feet apart.

There are exemptions, including people with certain disabilities or health conditions, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and children under the age of 5 (though it’s encouraged to have children ages 3-5 wear a covering if possible). There are also situations when an individual can remove their face covering, such as when seated at a restaurant or when recreating alone.

Individuals do not need to wear a cloth face covering in their home when they are only with people in their household, when alone in their car, or when outdoors and people are far apart.

You can view the press conference on TVW.

This follows Inslee’s announcement this weekend about requiring face coverings in Yakima County. That measure is stricter than the statewide measure and requires that service businesses in Yakima County refuse to serve those not wearing face coverings.

The face covering orders are being finalized and have not yet been issued. The state’s face covering page and DOH face covering page will continue to be updated with additional information.