WA DOH: No counties ready to advance to phase 2 of reopening

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday that no regions qualify to advance to phase 2 based on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan released earlier this week.

As outlined in the governor’s COVID-19 phased recovery plan, regions must meet each of the following four metrics in order to move into phase 2:

• Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population.
• Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
• Less than 90% intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy.
• COVID-19 test positivity of less than 10%.

According to DOH, eight regions in the state were eligible to advance to phase 2 on Monday, Jan. 11, should they meet the metrics outlined in the Roadmap to Recovery.  In a report issued Friday evening, the department stated each region will now remain at phase 1 through at least Monday, Jan. 18.  As a result, indoor dining will remain banned throughout the state.

In Edmonds, the owner of the Salish Sea Brewing Company, Jeff Barnett, said the unclear duration of the restrictions has left him feeling uneasy.

“I wish, in hindsight, I wish (the Washington State Department of Health) would say, ‘We’re gonna do this until March,’  and give us a reprieve if it’s sooner, but we’re prepared to weather the storm,” Barnett told KIRO 7.

In response to the extended regulation, DOH officials said they will reassess all the metrics each week and announce any changes to the current phase status every Friday.

Cox Media Group