Will Yakima Stay in Phase 3? Health Officials Are Skeptical

Yakima County remains in Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan but local health officials say they're concerned the county could go back to Phase 2 under the current COVID-19 numbers. Yakima Health District spokesperson Lilian Bravo says "we have not received notification that we are moving back to phase 2. However, we are unfortunately seeing our numbers in both categories trending upwards, so we are concerned that we may not be able to meet the metrics. It is a close call."
Bravo says as of Wednesday, April 28 Yakima County saw 257 cases per 100,000. The threshold is 200 cases per 100,000. Bravo also says the county was as 5.8 hospitalizations per 100,000 when the threshold is 5.0 hospitalizations per 100,000.
Bravo says the numbers are a reminder that more people need to be vaccinated against the virus. She also says it's important people continue to wear their masks in public,  meet outdoors as much as possible while maintaining 6 feet of distance and washing their hands frequently.
If you own a local business Yakima Valley Tourism (YVT) and collaborating organizations are hosting the monthly mask giveaway for small businesses Thursday April 29 and April 30. The mask giveaway will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m each day at the Visitor Information Center at 101 North Fair Avenue in Yakima. (in front of Target). Jessica Camacho, YCDA Communication and Events Manager says “as more places are reopening, we’d like to continue to encourage our community and visitors to mask up. We need to continue to do our part in protecting our community as we reopen and as more members of the community receive the COVID-19 vaccine,”

The giveaway is open to Business owners anyone else needing and hand sanitizers to protect themselves, their employees, and customers.