The Kittitas County Incident Management Team (IMT) is seeing a significant increase in cases. The increase is not related to a specific outbreak at this time.
  • Cases as of today (July 1): 128 cases with no fatalities.
  • Cases last week on Tuesday, June 23: 99 cases with no fatalities.
The IMT feels strongly that, for activities in Phase 3 to be done safely, there must be prevention efforts in place for any time people get together in groups in order for Phase 3 to continue.  We have enough information at this point about COVID-19 to know what works.  Some examples of what is working are below:

  • Masking.  Churches have been gathering and are required to have everyone wear a cloth face covering.  To date, we have had zero cases associated with church gatherings.
  • Masking and social distancing.  Businesses have been required to implement these measures.  We see some cases associated with these activities, but not anywhere near what they could be without these measures in place.
  • Masking, social distancing, and plastic barriers.  Grocery stores or some fast food places see significant volumes of people in our county.  To date, we have had very low cases associated with these locations.

In Phase 3, we can and will continue to see people getting together with other people.  We are not surprised by COVID-activity increasing.  This is not a scare tactic, only public notification of increased COVID-activity. We also know that young people will most likely recover from COVID-19; however, the issue is protecting the at-risk population.  This is a time to look at risk versus benefit.  This is a time to reduce the harm of COVID-19 while also trying to safely get back to a more normal way of life.

With the 4th of July coming this weekend, and you make a choice as to whether you gather or not, think about how you can reduce the risk of COVID-19 for yourself and for others.  If you choose to gather, do the following:

  • Watching fireworks?  Do it from your car and watch from the sunroof or pop your head out your side window.  If you are outside, stay six feet away from someone else.  If you are going to watch and be near someone, put a mask on.
  • Camping is great!  Camping with multiple families is great.  Stay outside; give yourself some room around the campfire.  Don’t have a raging party with hundreds of people.
  • Barbeque?  Yes! Outside is always great.  When you are inside, put a mask on your face, because you will be closer to people and you will most likely be within someone’s space.

If you have questions about your health, please contact your healthcare provider or you can call the Temporary COVID Clinic at KVH at 509-933-8850.  If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department at KVH.  If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call the EOC at 509-933-8315 or 509-933-8305.

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us