Arielle Dreher

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News >  Spokane

Effort to identify, slow COVID-19’s spread in Washington hampered by testing lags

UPDATED: Thu., March 12, 2020

The number of novel coronavirus cases in Washington jumped by nearly another 100 on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 457 cases in 14 counties. But health officials believe this number is much lower than the actual number of cases of COVID-19 in the community.

News >  Spokane

Hawaiian vacation turns into quarantine for Spokane couple who remain in limbo on cruise ship

Thu., March 12, 2020

Spokane couple Nancy and David Holmes have been on more than 50 cruises together, but this time, their 10-day Hawaii cruise has turned into a possible multiweek quarantine adventure.

News >  Spokane

‘It is here’: COVID-19 is in Spokane, just undetected, officials say; protective equipment in short supply

UPDATED: Fri., March 13, 2020

While no cases have been confirmed, COVID-19 is in Spokane, health officials say – they just don’t know where or how widespread it is.

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News >  Spokane

500-team youth basketball tournament in Spokane canceled over COVID-19 concerns

UPDATED: Wed., March 11, 2020

The State Basketball Championship executive board postponed the Washington Middle School Basketball Championship, which was scheduled for March 13-15, citing a legal directive from the Spokane County Health Department.

News >  Washington

Inslee bans large gatherings in 3 West Side counties as coronavirus cases continue to rise

UPDATED: Wed., March 11, 2020

Gatherings of more than 250 people in the state’s three most populous counties will be canceled or postponed under an emergency order issued Wednesday morning by Gov. Jay Inslee.

News >  Nation

Some Grand Princess passengers still waiting to disembark off the coast of Oakland

Tue., March 10, 2020

Some passengers still on-board the Grand Princess cruise ship are awaiting their disembarkation orders to one of four Air Force bases, including a local Spokane couple.

News >  Washington

Inslee announces strict visitation rules for nursing homes as COVID is found at nearly a dozen facilities

UPDATED: Tue., March 10, 2020

Washington has 267 confirmed COVID-19 cases in nine counties, including deaths tied to three long-term care facilities in the Seattle area.

News >  Spokane

Several facilities implement visitor screenings, as COVID-19 spreads to 8 counties in Washington state

UPDATED: Mon., March 9, 2020

Federal officials tightened visitor screenings Monday, as COVID-19 spread to eight counties in Washington state, with more than 160 confirmed cases.

News >  Spokane

Spokane-area hospitals prepare for COVID-19’s arrival

Sun., March 8, 2020

Local hospitals have tweaked policies and are prepared to experience a surge in patients should space be needed for people with COVID-19 who need treatment.

News >  Spokane

Washington health officials depart from CDC guidelines on protective equipment amid coronavirus outbreak

UPDATED: Sat., March 7, 2020

The Washington state Department of Health will no longer recommend health care workers wear air-purifying masks when caring for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

News >  Washington

Grant County health officials release potential contact locations for confirmed COVID-19 case

UPDATED: Fri., March 6, 2020

Grant County officials released a list of public places and gatherings the Quincy resident who tested positive for COVID-19 attended in February, alerting those who also attended to monitor their symptoms. The person who tested positive is at Central Hospital in Washington in critical condition.

News >  Spokane

Dozens of Spokane County residents being tested for COVID-19 to determine if disease is here

UPDATED: Fri., March 6, 2020

“We want (the community) to look at this not as we have a lot of COVID here but that our providers are trying to evaluate people for that risk,” Mark Springer, epidemiologist at the Spokane Regional Health District, said.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Gonzaga-affiliated person tests negative for COVID-19, as statewide case count surges

UPDATED: Thu., March 5, 2020

A Gonzaga-affiliated Spokane County resident tested negative for COVID-19, the Spokane Regional Health District confirmed, as the number of confirmed cases surged statewide.

News >  Washington

Grant County resident tests positive for COVID-19; Washington waives testing charges as cases jump to 70

UPDATED: Thu., March 5, 2020

A Grant County resident hospitalized at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee has tested positive for COVID-19, the Grant County Health District announced Wednesday night.

News >  Spokane

10 deaths due to COVID-19 recorded in Washington, test guidelines broadened

UPDATED: Wed., March 4, 2020

Washington state health officials reported 10 deaths due to the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, as testing guidelines for the virus broadened.

News >  Spokane

10th person in Washington dies of the coronavirus, more cases confirmed

UPDATED: Wed., March 4, 2020

Ten people have died due to the novel coronavirus in Washington, which is now reporting 39 confirmed cases.

News >  Washington

‘Way behind the 8-ball’: Sen. Murray decries COVID-19 testing lag time, shortage as virus spreads

UPDATED: Wed., March 4, 2020

With the backup on testing production, members of Congress, including Sen. Patty Murray, decry the vague and slow response to COVID-19

News >  Washington

Nine COVID-19 deaths now reported in Washington state

UPDATED: Tue., March 3, 2020

King County health officials announced three additional deaths due to the novel coronavirus on Tuesday.

News >  Spokane

Coronavirus blamed for six deaths in Washington state; no confirmed cases yet east of Cascades

Tue., March 3, 2020

Six of the 18 Western Washington residents with the coronavirus have died as health officials rush to test more suspected cases and communities brace for spread of the disease. There were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 east of the Cascades although three people are ill and await test results.

News >  Pacific NW

Death toll grows to 6 from COVID-19 in Washington

UPDATED: Mon., March 2, 2020

Four more people have died from the new coronavirus in Washington.

News >  Washington

Governor declares state of emergency, as COVID-19 cases increase, including one death

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 29, 2020

State and local health officials confirmed additional cases of COVID-19 in Washington state on Saturday, including one man who has died.

News >  Spokane

Symptomatic Spokane County resident tested for COVID-19; 5 others under surveillance

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 29, 2020

Spokane Regional Health District officials encourage local residents experiencing symptoms to stay home from work or school, monitor their symptoms and call their health care providers before going to the emergency department.

News >  Washington

Washington state will begin testing for COVID-19, lawmakers allocate $10 million to virus preparations

Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

Testing for the novel coronavirus is now available at the state public health lab, shortening turnaround time for results.

News >  Spokane

COVID-19 Q&A: What we know, don’t know, and how to prepare

Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

Federal, state and local health officials have acknowledged that there will likely be more confirmed cases of COVID-19, a respiratory virus spreading across the globe, in the United States in coming weeks.

News >  Spokane

WSU Spokane plans to expand Native American health resources with new center, programs

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 26, 2020

WSU Health Sciences Spokane plans to expand its resources and support for Native American students, faculty members and prospective students with a grant from the Empire Health Foundation.