[ad_1]
YAKIMA, WASH. – Health officials said this week that 145 workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a Costco store near Yakima, but the store remains open while the Yakima Health District investigates.
The infected workers are in quarantine, the Union Gap store is testing site-wide, and more cases are expected to be reported, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported. The health district said in a press release that it would continue to monitor the outbreak that began before Christmas, when 68 workers tested positive for the virus.
Yakima County Commissioners released a statement this week saying they agreed to keep the store open, but strongly criticized Gov. Jay Inslee’s orders to slow the spread of the virus, which is having an impact on small businesses, schools and churches.
“Our local Costco store can safely remain open despite a known outbreak, but our schools, restaurants, gyms, theaters and other businesses cannot,” the commissioners said.
Commissioners approved a proclamation earlier this month calling on Inslee to give more leverage to local authorities in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
As cases began to increase in November, Inslee ordered further closures on November 15 for restaurants, theaters and gyms. He extended the restrictions until January 11.
Yakima County surpassed 20,000 total COVID-19 cases this week. The county’s death toll since mid-March is approaching 300.
[ad_2]
Source link