Yakima County COVID-19 hospitalizations still high
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — The Yakima Health District is reporting high rates of COVID-19 hospitalization, which have remained steady over the past two weeks. "As of [Thursday], we had 23…
vaccines
Ellensburg veteran wins $100,000 through WA vaccine lottery
ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A former Coast Guardsman from Kittitas County won a $100,000 grand prize through “A Heroes Thanks;” a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program for Washington state veterans through the Governor's Office and Washington's Lottery. The winner is Mark W.,…
Benton County hits 18,000 COVID-19 cases, CBC West positivity rates hit 18%
BENTON COUNTY, Wash. — The Tri-Cities are in the early stages of another serious spike in coronavirus transmission with positivity rates from the CBC West testing site reflecting this rapid uptick. According to information from the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD),…
‘WSU has an obligation to serve the public’: WSU President reaffirms vaccine policy as coach Rolovich opts out of shot
WSU President Kirk Schulz issued a statement reaffirming the school’s vaccine policy, just hours after football coach Nick Rolovich announced he chose not to get vaccinated.
WSU Coach Nick Rolovich: ‘I have elected not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine’
Saying his reasons will remain private, Washington State University football coach Nick Rolovich said Wednesday he’s choosing not to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Benton & Franklin County COVID-19 rates far exceed the rest of Washington state
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Just over two weeks removed from the Fourth of July milestone, which marked the end of the pandemic in the minds of many, Benton and Franklin Counties are suffering another rapid increase in coronavirus cases, positivity, and…
Tri-Cities COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations surge over the weekend
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Though it may feel like the pandemic is nearing its end, the Tri-Cities are suffering another spike in coronavirus transmission with 200 new cases reported in the last weekend alone. According to COVID-19 metrics from the Benton-Franklin…
"Shot of a Lifetime:" Washington mechanic wins $1 million vaccination prize
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A motorcycle mechanic in his early 20s won $1 million in the "Shot Of A Lifetime" vaccine lottery; a collaboration between Washington's Lottery, the Washington Department of Health, and the office of Governor Jay Inslee. A…
Tri-Cities now among the highest COVID case rates in WA state, West Coast
TRI-CITIES, Wash. — Health officials with the Benton Franklin Health District (BFHD) held a press conference Thursday morning alerting the community that COVID case numbers are continuing…
Washington reaches pandemic milestone; 70 percent of population now vaccinated
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state health officials have announced a major milestone in the pandemic: 70 percent of the state’s population is now vaccinated. Washington Department of Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah made the announcement in a briefing Wednesday morning. He said 70 percent of people 16 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of…
BFHD discontinues vaccine clinic at CBC West, pop-ups
KENNEWICK, Wash. — The Tri-Cities' public health authority, the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD), is discontinuing its COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinics as well as the vaccination clinic at the CBC West testing location as local coronavirus rates stabilize and vaccination rates…
Lawmakers eye special session on mandatory COVID-19 vaccines
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republican state senators plan to meet this week to discuss the possibility of a special session after three large health care providers announced policies requiring employees to get COVID-19 vaccinations, the top Senate Republican said Monday. Senate Pro Tempore Chuck Winder said Republican senators will meet online Friday morning amid growing calls for a special session…
Someone in Washington will become a millionaire this week, just for being vaccinated
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The $1 million winner in Washington’s “Shot of a Lifetime” vaccine promotion will be chosen this week. The Washington State Lottery will draw the winner from the state’s vaccine database Tuesday. Officials will contact the winner on Wednesday. Over the past several weeks, the state has given away more than $1 million in cash and other prizes,…
Pfizer to discuss COVID-19 vaccine booster with US officials
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer says it plans to meet with top U.S. health officials Monday to discuss the drugmaker’s request for federal authorization of a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser acknowledged that "it is entirely conceivable, maybe likely” that booster shots will be needed.
Yakima Valley mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics continue
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — The Yakima Health District is offering more than a dozen mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week across Yakima County. As of last month, 57.8% of individuals 16 years or older countywide had initiated vaccination and 51.4%…
Yakima County vaccine efforts continue during heat wave
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — The Yakima Health District is continuing COVID-19 vaccination efforts despite dealing with record-high temperatures. The community vaccination center at State Fair Park had to close down Tuesday due to the heat wave and move operations temporarily…
"Even the little guy can win sometimes:” Walla Walla man wins $250,000 prize
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — State officials conducted the fourth and final drawing for a $250,000 "Shot of a Lifetime" vaccine incentive prize on June 29. The winner has been confirmed as a Walla Walla resident in his 30s who…
Washington set to fully reopen, lift all COVID restrictions Wednesday
We are just days away from Washington fully reopening — on Wednesday, COVID restrictions will be lifted statewide.
"A Big Stress Reliever:" Yakima's vaccine lottery winner speaks on his prize
YAKIMA, Wash. — The man who won this week's $250,000 drawing as part of Washington state's “Shot of a Lifetime” vaccine appreciation promotion has released a statement about his victory. On Thursday afternoon, officials representing Washington's Lottery announced that…
'Shot of a Lifetime:' Yakima man claims $250,000 prize
YAKIMA, Wash. — The weekly $250,000 drawing through Washington state's 'Shot of a Lifetime' vaccination incentive program was held this Tuesday and a lucky winner claimed the prize in Yakima. According to a release by officials from Washington's Lottery, a…
‘A Heroes Thanks’: New program offers incentives for vaccinated military members, veterans
Sean McKeagOLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Jay Inslee announced a new vaccine incentive program for Washington’s military community and veterans. The state has been offering large sums of money, including a $1 million cash prize, for Washingtonians who get a COVID-19 vaccine, but the state database has not included veterans. This is because the Department of Defense has been vaccinating veterans…
Washington hits 67.2% vaccination rate, Inslee says to stay the course
OLYMPIA, Wash. — As Washington state approaches its June 30 re-opening deadline, Governor Jay Inslee is encouraging Washingtonians to stay the course and continue the effort to keep the state safe. According to a press release from the Governor's Office,…
Yakima Chamber partners with organizations to offer vaccine incentives
YAKIMA, Wash. - It's been six months since the first dose outside of vaccine trials have been administered. Since then, nearly 400 million Americans have received at least one dose…
Washington’s Lottery warns of vaccine lottery scams
Washington’s Lottery and the Attorney General’s Office are warning of scams based around the state’s vaccine lottery program.
