Arielle Dreher

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Racism deemed a public health issue in Washington, state public health association declares

Mon., March 21, 2022

"If we do not address those policies and they continue to exist, you have institutional racism that still holds people down, and not having access to certain things creates this level of anxiety or stress that ultimately has an impact on BIPOC communities, and it's a full circle," said Adrian Dominguez, president of the Washington State Public Health Association

News >  Health

What’s next? Washington health department releases plan for new phase of the pandemic

UPDATED: Fri., March 18, 2022

The Washington Department of Health released its plan this week to guide the state’s public health response and recovery efforts in the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  Health

Here’s a look at local COVID-19 numbers for March 17, 2022

UPDATED: Thu., March 17, 2022

From staff reports

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News

Legislature funds future health coverage for uninsured adults, including immigrants

UPDATED: Fri., March 18, 2022

Immigrants who cannot currently access health insurance in Washington may soon have options.

News >  Health

How Spokane County plans to use sewage to detect future COVID-19 surges

UPDATED: Thu., March 17, 2022

Spokane County health officials will be able to detect COVID-19 in the community through sewage for months and potentially years to come.

News >  Health

State health officials warn that federal funding is crucial for continued pandemic response

UPDATED: Wed., March 16, 2022

With additional federal COVID funding in jeopardy, state health officials warned that treatments and preventative pandemic resources, including booster doses, could become more scarce if the federal government has to stop purchasing them.

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Spokane County COVID-19 cases continue to drop

UPDATED: Tue., March 15, 2022

From staff reports

News

Providence launches mental health program for new and expecting mothers

UPDATED: Mon., March 14, 2022

Becoming a new mom can be a stressful experience, both physically and mentally.

News

Here’s a look at local case rates and numbers

UPDATED: Mon., March 14, 2022

The statewide COVID rate continues to decline in most Washington counties.

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Two years later, Providence staffers reflect as the ‘human tragedy’ of a pandemic leaves its mark

Sat., March 12, 2022

It’s a milestone that comes with a grim death toll.

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Here’s a look at Friday’s local COVID-19 numbers

UPDATED: Mon., March 14, 2022

From staff reports

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With masks coming off Saturday, it’s up to everyone to assess their own risk

UPDATED: Thu., March 10, 2022

The next phase of the pandemic begins with a degree of uncertainty for some and a sense of welcome reprieve for others.

News >  Health

Here’s a look at Thursday’s local COVID-19 numbers

UPDATED: Thu., March 10, 2022

From staff reports

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State Board of Health rejects numerous attempts to change quarantine, vaccine rules

UPDATED: Thu., March 10, 2022

Efforts to change the powers and authority of local health officers, how quarantine works and what kinds of vaccines can be required in schools all failed to gain support from the Washington Board of Health at their meeting this week.

News >  Education

Washington’s mask mandate is ending Saturday, but the choice will remain for schools

UPDATED: Wed., March 9, 2022

The statewide indoor mask mandate ends this weekend, but individual school districts will have the final say in whether they require masks in classrooms.

News >  Health

COVID-19 trends still heading in right direction in Spokane County

UPDATED: Thu., March 10, 2022

Spokane County appears to still be on the right track, with declining COVID case counts and hospitalizations leading up to the lifting of the statewide mask mandate at midnight Saturday.

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Here’s a look at Tuesday’s local COVID-19 numbers

UPDATED: Tue., March 8, 2022

The Spokane Regional Health District reported 23 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, but this number is not complete due to a Department of Health data interruption that’s expected to be resolved by Wednesday. The health district also confirmed 10 additional deaths.

News

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to fall statewide

UPDATED: Wed., March 9, 2022

With less than a week until the statewide mask mandate is lifted in Washington state, COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to decline.

News >  Education

Worried in part over ‘outrage component,’ a Washington advisory group did not recommend required COVID-19 vaccines for kids. So what’s next?

UPDATED: Sat., March 5, 2022

After extensive meetings and an onslaught of data presentations, a state advisory group voted late last month to not recommend adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations for school entry beginning this fall.

News >  Health

Contact-tracing expected to continue locally, but focus will shift after omicron cast doubt on effectiveness for individual cases

UPDATED: Fri., March 4, 2022

The Spokane Regional Health District will continue COVID-19 contact tracing through 2022, after the district renewed its contract with the Public Health Institute for another year. But the efforts will likely look different, since the highly contagious omicron variant brought into question the effectiveness of contact tracing on an individual basis.

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‘There to advocate’: Volunteers needed for ombuds program that serves as watchdog for Washington’s long-term care facilities

UPDATED: Fri., March 4, 2022

Want to help advocate for residents of long-term care facilities?

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Here’s a look at today’s COVID-19 numbers in the Inland Northwest

UPDATED: Thu., March 3, 2022

Staff report

News >  Health

War in Ukraine: Local doctor will ‘go over there with my own two hands and make sure fewer people die’

Thu., March 3, 2022

One of Spokane’s own is heading to Ukraine’s border to help treat the casualties as Russia wages war on the nation and its civilians suffer injuries and death.

News >  Health

Washington residents eligible for more free COVID-19 home tests; some testing sites change hours or locations

UPDATED: Thu., March 3, 2022

Washington residents can order more at-home testing kits, even if they already ordered through the Department of Health’s initiative with Say Yes COVID Test.

News >  Health

Health district reports first suspected COVID-19-related infant death

UPDATED: Wed., March 2, 2022

The Spokane Regional Health District reported a suspected COVID-19 death of an infant on Tuesday.