County remains in Phase One shutdown

OLYMPIA – Whitman County was excluded from the governor’s Phase Two reopening plan.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Roadmap to Recovery” phased reopening plan was updated, a public relations officer stated Thursday.

Only the following two regions move into Phase Two: Puget Sound and West.

Regions to remain in Phase One are: East, South Central, North Central, Northwest, Southwest, and North.

Phase changes went into effect on Monday and remain until Feb. 15.

As Inslee announced, regions now need to meet any three of the four metrics outlined in the plan in order to move into Phase Two. The four metrics are:

• Trend in 14-day rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population

• Trend in 14-day rate of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population

• Average 7-day percent occupancy of ICU staffed beds

• 7-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests

In addition, the DOH will calculate regions’ metrics to determine phase status every two weeks.

Phase One allows limited business activity, some outdoor recreation such as golfing and hiking. No inside-seating is permitted at restaurants.

Phase Two allows 50 percent capacity in restaurants and some group outdoor recreation.

The next announcement is on Feb. 12.

For more information visit the Roadmap to Recovery dashboard at http://www.coronavirus.wa.gov.