OLYMPIA, Wash. – COVID-19 cases are on the rise in many parts of Washington state, but you shouldn’t expect the return of a statewide mask mandate anytime soon.
KIRO reports fourteen counties are currently considered high risk for COVID-19 and local hospitals are running out of room.
Health care professionals say the blame is not just on the pandemic, but an unprecedented staffing crisis.
On Monday, July 18th, the Washington State Hospital Association asked the state for money to increase emergency staffing.
Inslee says he does not have immediate funding but would be open to investments in the state’s health care system.
Inslee says he intends to keep employees safe by using the vaccine even after the state of emergency has lifted.
The governor’s office says the state is not looking at additional restrictions.
At the start of July, Inslee announced a new directive that states all new employees need to be fully up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination.
This change will take effect sometime in the fall of 2022.