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Across Washington state and the country, there have been outbreaks of COVID-19 in many settings. Some of the most difficult outbreaks to control and manage are those in congregate settings. Washington state and Spokane County have had their share of these outbreaks to manage. In Spokane County, the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) epidemiology team has managed outbreaks in homeless shelters, family shelters, drug treatment centers, behavioral health facilities, county correctional facilities, supported living facilities and group homes.

SARS-CoV-2, like other coronaviruses, mutates and produces variant strains as it spreads to susceptible hosts. The longer we go with suboptimal vaccination coverage and insufficient herd immunity in Washington state, the United States, and the rest of the world, the more opportunity for variants of concern to spread, and potentially, for different variants of concern to emerge.

It is no secret that healthcare workers all over the world have been significantly affected by the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, in both caring for COVID-19 patients and being patients themselves. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthcare workers account for 1 in 7 reported COVID-19 cases globally.

Our kids are struggling. Their mental and emotional health has worsened over the last year and it’s going to take our entire community to help them through this time. Isolation, disrupted routines, and loss have increased negative emotions and the need for resources. If you’re a parent or a child who is struggling right now, there is help.

After 15 months, Washington has reopened. Fifteen months. We’ve made a lot of changes, but what exactly does “reopening” mean? When the governor or state officials talk about reopening, they’re referring to businesses. The main difference as of June 30, is that businesses and events are open at 100% capacity. The exception is for indoor venues with a capacity of 10,000 or more; they are still limited to 75% capacity. Most businesses — including restaurants, bars, movie theaters, grocery stores and offices — get to operate like they did before the pandemic, as long as they’re following the workplace safety requirements set by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

It’s time to celebrate. Not only do we have the tradition behind Independence Day to reflect on, but we can also celebrate how much progress our community has made towards overcoming the pandemic in the last year. Independence Day looked different last year. This year it may feel a little more normal, but now that more people are getting vaccinated and the state is reopening, there may be some confusion about what’s safe and what isn’t. Let’s cover some basics on how to have a fun and safe Fourth of July celebration this year.

Getting outside can help reduce the spread of COVID-19, gives more options to get moving, and can be a great mood booster. With the right tools you can have a safe and healthy summer. Make sure you keep these must-haves with you for outdoor fun this summer.

It’s Smoke Ready Week! What does that mean? It means it’s time to get ready for the smoke that comes with wildfire season. Some years wildfire smoke can be worse than others, so it’s always good to be ready with helpful information and tools.