Seattle, WA|News|
Washington Celebrates Reopening Day As Most Restrictions Lift
Gov. Jay Inslee embarked on a "Washington Ready" tour Wednesday, speaking in Tacoma and Spokane ahead of planned stops in Seattle Thursday.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Washington: Finding Our Way Forward
The coronavirus shutdown brought civic life and commerce to a standstill for months. These stories of revival show how communities, businesses, schools and essential institutions in Washington are finding ways to reopen, recover and move forward.
Related:Finding Our Way Forward
Seattle, WA|News|
King County Lifts Mask Mandate, With Washington Poised To Reopen
King County officially ended its indoor mask directive Tuesday and is now aligned with broader rules from the state and CDC.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
King County's Daily COVID Counts Fall To Double Digits
New COVID-19 cases have declined 81 percent since late April, with hospitalizations falling by three-quarters.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Washington Announces 2nd Vaccine Lottery Program For Military
“A Heroes Thanks" is for those who got their shot from the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs and are ineligible for the old lottery.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Puyallup, WA|News|
The Washington State Fair Will Return In September
Organizers confirm the state fair will return later this summer, after a year off due to the pandemic.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
When Washington Reopens, Some Restrictions Will Remain: Inslee
Washington has committed to fully reopening by the end of the month or earlier, but some familiar requirements will be sticking around.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Washington Launches Vaccine Lottery, Offers Dozens Of Prizes
Vaccinated Washingtonians are automatically entered into five upcoming lottery drawings. Other prizes include sports tickets and flights.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Seattle Sounders Plan For The Return Of Full Capacity Matches
The Sounders will restore full capacity in the lower bowl this month. Once the state reopens, proof of vaccination will not be required.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
COVID Rates Tumble Further As More In King County Are Vaccinated
Daily case counts have fallen 64 percent since the peak of the fourth wave, as more young people and middle-aged adults become immunized.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Seattle Will Close Most City-Run Mass Vaccination Sites In June
Citing high vaccination rates, which outpace much of the state, Seattle will wind down most of its mass vaccination sites next month.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
'Honor System' For Masks Enough For Compliance: Inslee
Gov. Inslee has issued a proclamation officially updating the state's mask guidance to match the recent CDC changes. Here's how it works.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
King County Reinstates Mask Mandate For Indoor Settings
King County's health officer has signed an indoor masking directive to stay in place until 70% of residents 16 and up are fully vaccinated.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
Bellevue's Outdoor Dining Program Expands For Summer
Dozens of restaurants are offering unique outdoor dining options through summer, building on the success of last year's "Al Fresco" program.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Where You Do And Don't Need A Mask In Washington For Now
Washington has adopted the latest CDC guidance but state health officials are formalizing new mask guidance for businesses.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Keep Wearing Masks Indoors, King County Health Officer Urges
Dr. Jeff Duchin on Monday encouraged vaccinated and unvaccinated people alike to keep masking up in indoor public spaces for the time being.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
More Stores Drop Mask Requirements For Vaccinated Patrons In WA
When Washington dropped the mandate last week, some stores held out changing their policies. But as time goes by, more are re-evaluating.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
King County Is Safe In Phase 3, With Future Rollbacks Unlikely
All counties will be eligible for Phase 3 on Tuesday, regardless of the metrics, as Washington heads toward a full reopening next month.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Washington Will Fully Reopen By June 30 Or Earlier: Inslee
All counties will drop restrictions by the end of June, and the state can reopen sooner if more people get their shots quickly, Inslee said.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
In-Person School For All Washington K-12 Students This Fall: DOH
State health officials have released new guidelines that lay out how schools must plan a full return to the classroom in the fall.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
COVID Cases Drop 20% As King County Looks To Vaccinate More Teens
King County appears to be "turning the corner" on the fourth wave, seeing fewer cases and hospitalizations, Dr. Jeff Duchin said Wednesday.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Sounders Boost Match Capacity With New Vaccinated Sections
Later this month, the Seattle Sounders will begin seating vaccinated sections at full capacity, welcoming more fans back to Lumen Field.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Kirkland, WA|News|
Lake Washington Schools Share Season 3 Spectator Plan For Sports
The district's updated spectator plan allows for two family members to cheer on their athletes at more high school sporting events.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
COVID Cases Down 5% As King County Shows Some Hopeful Signs
"The COVID-19 outbreak is no longer a five-alarm fire, but it continues to burn," Dr. Jeff Duchin said Friday.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Seattle Refocuses Mobile Vaccination Efforts On Younger Adults
Seattle is deploying its mobile vaccination teams to reach younger adults where they live, work and play.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Puyallup, WA|News|
Pierce County's COVID-19 Metrics Fall To Phase 1 Levels
The county has under two weeks to turn the numbers around — otherwise COVID-19 restrictions could become much more severe.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Puyallup, WA|News|
Pierce Exec To Veto Hazard Pay For Grocery Store Workers
The Pierce County Council passed a plan giving an extra $4 per hour to local grocery store workers, but it appears dead on arrival.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Puyallup, WA|News|
Pierce County Stuck In Phase 2 As Governor Announces Pause
The county had been unlikely to qualify for Phase 3 this week, but the pause may prolong its time stuck in the second tier.
Charles Woodman, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Staying In Phase 3: King County Avoids Rollbacks For Now
In a surprising move Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee placed a two-week freeze on rollbacks, keeping King County from returning to Phase 2.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Seattle Drops Appointment Requirement At 3 City-Run Vaccine Sites
All King County residents and workers can now get COVID-19 vaccines without an appointment at Lumen Field, Rainier Beach and West Seattle.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Facing Rollbacks: Many WA Counties Could Move Backward This Week
At least a dozen Washington counties are likely to see more restrictions this week, amid a fourth wave of infections and hospitalizations.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
Phase 2 Rollback Imminent As King County Rates Start To Stabilize
While case counts and hospitalizations are starting to level off, both metrics remain too high to avoid a rollback in King County next week.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
WA's 4th Wave Shows Early Signs Of Plateau, But Rates Still High
Health officials say there are early indicators of a leveling off in COVID-19 cases, but more progress will be needed to avoid rollbacks.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Thousands Of Vaccine Appointments Available In Seattle
Seattle's city-run sites are looking to fill tens of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments this week, open to all in King County.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
Phase 2 Rollback Looms, If King County Metrics Don't Improve Soon
King County sits above the threshold in new cases and right on the line for hospitalizations. If the trend continues, Phase 2 will return.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Coronavirus Spread Outpacing Immunity In Washington, DOH Cautions
While immunization is making a big difference in Washington, vaccines are not enough to slow transmission just yet, officials said Thursday.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Redmond, WA|News|
Lake Washington School Sports: District Shares Spectator Plan
Lake Washington School District has unveiled specific rules for watching high school sports, using the state's Phase 3 guidelines.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Sammamish-Issaquah, WA|News|
Lake Sammamish Vaccine Site Needs More Volunteers
Greeters, screeners and observers are needed at the Eastside's community vaccination site. Volunteers will also have a chance to get a shot.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
In-Home Vaccination Appointments Launch In King County
Unvaccinated people who face difficulties leaving their homes can now schedule a visit from King County's mobile vaccination teams.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Bellevue, WA|News|
King County's Coronavirus Metrics Are High, But Stable For Now
"We are in a standoff with this virus currently, and this is not the time to blink," Dr. Jeff Duchin said Friday.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
Seattle, WA|News|
Vaccines For All: 16+ Eligibility Begins Thursday In Washington
All Washingtonians 16 and older join the vaccine eligibility list on April 15 — a major milestone on the path toward widespread immunity.
Lucas Combos, Patch Staff
