masking

Will Yakima health officials require masking in the future?

The variants latch onto cells more tightly, invade them more efficiently, and elude many of the antibodies induced by previous infections and vaccines.

In the most recent report from April 1 through June 30 a high of 151 cases of COVID-19 were reported over a 14 day period, resulting in a case rate of 58 per 100,000 residents.

Yakima Health District officials and officials from World Health Organization say they're concerned about another wave of cases that could put people in the hospital and kill others.

During the height of the pandemic the rate of infection was 500 to 700 cases per 100,000.

But masks will still be required on Yakima Transit and at the airport.

Washington State is the only state on the west coast with an indoor masking mandate that has no end date.

State officials are monitoring the situation. The governor is expected to give an update later this week.