WSU spike leads to gathering limits in Pullman

COLFAX - A new gathering limit of 10 people was placed within Pullman as part of an emergency order issued by the Whitman County Health Department on April 2.

The move is in response to rising COVID-19 cases tied to Washington State University (WSU) students.

"I'm pretty proud of my health department and health director. That was the right move at the right time," said Michael Largent, Whitman County commissioner.

The order limits a maximum of 10 people for outdoor social gatherings that are not connected to religious services, funerals or weddings.

Masks and social distancing are still required.

Other Phase Three restrictions remain in place, such as limits on indoor social gatherings to 10 people from outside a household.

Skidmore noted Monday that daily counts were receding from last Friday, which the bump was mainly in the 0-29 age group, constrained to WSU.

"It's very, very low in the rest of the county. Even in Pullman," he said.

The county was on pace for the state metric of 457 cases per 100,000 in population, which would drop it back to Phase Two. Whitman County has a population of about 50,000, with 228 cases in the past two weeks.

The state will evaluate phases on April 12.

Skidmore noted a concern with the upcoming WSU Spring 2021 Family Weekend, April 9-11. It's mostly remote and virtual events.

"I think the health order was a good idea," he said, thanking county Prosecutor Denis Tracy for a legal review and wording for the decree.

Skidmore said he wants as many WSU students vaccinated as possible before they leave for the summer. He explained that it would limit spread upon their return.

Commissioner Tom Handy asked how this would work as a second shot would be beyond graduation, aside from the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Skidmore said it should not be a problem as they would be able to go to any pharmacy around the state to get the second shot.