Local and state officials provide update on COVID-19 response
KENNEWICK, Wash. - As Washington state has reached 5,000 COVID-19 deaths, officials said it's important to not let our guard down against the virus. "Together we will heal,…
Coronavirus
Fauci: US shouldn't loosen coronavirus restrictions until daily new cases fall below 10,000
The United States shouldn't ease restrictions in place to prevent Covid-19 before the number of new coronavirus cases falls below 10,000 daily, "and maybe even considerably less than that," Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday. The US should pull restrictions gradually,…
Benton County Fairgrounds: More than 3,800 people vaccinated in three days
BENTON COUNTY, Wash. — After another successful day of operations at the Benton County Fairgrounds, the mass vaccination site is approaching 4,000 vaccine doses administered in the last three days. That includes both second doses from previous patients and first…
‘It is not a serious proposal’; Governor’s Office slams WA Senate GOP’s Phase 3 plan
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State Senate Republicans proposed a plan to reopen the state and move to Phase 3, but Gov. Inslee’s office slammed the proposal, calling it “political rhetoric with bullet points.” All of Washington is currently in Phase…
Washington governor provides timeline for next phase of vaccinations
OLYMPIA, Wash. — While addressing the media on Thursday afternoon, Governor Jay Inslee and a panel from the Washington Department of Health (DOH) provided a glimpse at their potential timeline for COVID-19 vaccinations in the state. The Governor shared a…
Senate kickstarts work on virus relief bill; some older Americans left behind in vaccine signups
Virus update: The Senate voted Thursday to begin debating a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, with Democrats hoping for Senate approval of the package before next week.
Coronavirus update: Only 15 hospitalized COVID patients, 29 cases added
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Today's update from the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) included only a small addition of coronavirus cases in addition to an updated hospitalization rate. According to the latest metrics from the Benton-Franklin Health District, only 29 cases were…
WATCH: Inslee announces new timeline for more people to get vaccinated
OLYMPIA, Wash. — One day after hitting the grim milestone of 5,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the state of Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee will be joined by a panel of specialists to discuss the state's response to the pandemic. That…
Toppenish Middle School hosts Astria Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
TOPPENISH, Wash. — Are you a healthcare or childcare worker in the Lower Valley looking to receive your COVID-19 vaccination? This weekend, you can visit the COVID-19 vaccination clinic set up at Toppenish Middle School to inoculate yourself against coronavirus.…
Coeur d’Alene Public Schools to move students to five days a week
COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho — Students in Coeur d’Alene will soon be walking school hallways five days a week. Last Thursday, the Coeur d’Alene school board voted to…
COVID's obesity link; 'Neanderthal thinking'; and the Senate relief bill. Virus news to know today.
Virus death rates 10 times higher in more obese countries; Biden says completely lifting restrictions 'big mistake'; what's next for Senate relief bill. Get the latest.
Local childcare workers 'overwhelmed with relief, happiness' after eligibility announcement
PASCO, Wash — After Governor Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that Washington educators are now included in Phase 1B, local childcare workers said they were excited but wish…
Washington state surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 deaths
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state has surpassed 5,000 deaths from the coronavirus, a milestone that comes a few days after the one-year anniversary of the first known virus death in the U.S. The state reported 799 new COVID-19 cases and…
Connell superintendent becomes bus driver to help students and co-workers
CONNELL, Wash. - In a school district with about 2,100 students, when help is needed, people step up, including bus drivers. "Whether it's building our…
Yakima Co. got 15,500 vaccine doses this week
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — Yakima County received about 15,500 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week — its biggest shipment to date. Yakima Health District officials said the shipment includes…
Benton County Fairgrounds expand efforts midweek, administer 1,400 doses
BENTON COUNTY, Wash. — According to officials at the site, over 1,400 vaccinations were administered at the Benton County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. This is an improvement of nearly 500 vaccinations from yesterday. This number was confirmed by…
Biden criticizes Texas and Mississippi for lifting restrictions: 'Neanderthal thinking'
President Joe Biden sharply criticized states such as Texas and Mississippi for lifting Covid-19 restrictions against pleas from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top public health officials, accusing those in power of "Neanderthal thinking." "I…
Many US chains to still require masks in Texas, Mississippi stores after mandates end
As Texas and Mississippi end mask mandates, leading U.S. retailers say they will continue to require mask wearing at their stores in those states.
States rapidly expanding vaccine access as supplies surge; CDC director urges US to stay vigilant
Buoyed by a surge in vaccine shipments, states and cities are rapidly expanding eligibility for COVID-19 shots as the U.S. races to beat back the virus and reopen businesses and schools.
Coronavirus update: Positivity declines nearly 2%
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Public health officials from the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) announced updated coronavirus positivity rates from the CBC West testing site in addition to updates to the bi-county case count. According to the BFHD, Benton County added just…
Johnson & Johnson vaccine authorized by Northwest multi-state review group
Biden agrees to more targeted $1,400 stimulus payments in concession to moderate Dems
President Biden has OK'd making the stimulus checks' salary eligibility more targeted in the Senate bill. Here's what it means and where the Senate bill stands.
Coronavirus update: 55 cases added, vaccine doses increase
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Public health officials at the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) released their daily update on the local coronavirus metrics for Tuesday, March 2, 2021. That included updated hospitalization rates and additions to the total case count for the…
Dolly Parton receives vaccine, remixes classic song in PSA encouraging others to get vaccinated
Country music icon Dolly Parton encouraged people to get vaccinated in a video posted to social media Tuesday while she received her first Moderna shot.
