photo courtesy of Pixabay user u_6bdpp4hu
(OLYMPIA) As October ended, so did most of Washington’s mandates regarding COVID.
But a few rules will likely linger well into winter.
With another possible wave of infections on teh way, most medical experts think this is a good thing. For example, If you look at the CDC COVID community levels map, the majority of Washington is still green, or low.
“Our COVID transmission rate, which is based on reported cases, remains high,” says Seattle King County health officer Doctor Jeff Duchin. “Just above the cutoff separating ‘high’ transmission from the ‘substantial’ category. Although COVID activity has been trending down, if you account for under-reporting, there are still thousands of new cases.”
According to the most recent numbers from the Washington State Health Department, there are more than 600 new cases confirmed each day, and more than 40 deaths every week from COVID-19.
He’s likely glad a mask requirement remains in place for all medical facilities, and that will be the case for a while.
Also still on the books in Seattle, landlords are still requirement to work out payment plans with renters through April.
Now to the workplace. There’s still a vaccine requirement for most state employees, including those on college campuses. If someone in the office tests positive for COVID, they have to stay home for five days. And if an employee is considered at high risk (either they or someone they live with is likely to get very sick from the virus) accommodations must be made to the best of the employers ability.
