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Inslee Says A Dozen Counties In Danger Of Falling Back To Phase 2

TVW screenshot

Washington health officials say a dozen counties are in danger of moving back to Phase 2, or perhaps even Phase 1, in the state’s coronavirus reopening plan.

They include rural Ferry County. It has been battling an outbreak that public health officials link, in part, to two events in Republic on April 10 and 11. Governor Jay Inslee mentioned the gatherings during a press briefing on Thursday.

“They wanted to show that Covid’s no big deal. That was at the Eagles’ Club, I’m told, over in Republic. They flouted public health guidelines. They ignored clear science and it ended up turning into a superspreader event," Inslee said.

Ferry County’s two-week case rate is more than five times the limit allowed to stay in Phase 3. Republic has 77 active Covid cases, according to the Tri-County Health District.

Stevens and Spokane counties are also in peril of dropping down a level. Both have two-week case rates that are about one-and-a-half times the allowable level.

The state will announce Tuesday any county-level Covid phase changes. All but three counties, including Whitman, are currently in Phase 3.