Gov. Jay Inslee 'extremely encouraged' by state and health care workers vaccine progress
Washington Governor Jay Inslee called the spike in state employee vaccination rates one week ahead of the deadline extremely encouraging.
Coronavirus
Washington healthcare facilities brace for shortages as vaccination deadline looms
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Hospital leaders across Washington fear that some regions will face severe staffing shortages at medical facilities as the state approaches its cut-off for healthcare workers to get vaccinated. During a Monday morning briefing from the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), CEO Cassie Sauer confirmed that 88% of the state’s healthcare workers are fully vaccinated ahead of the…
A vast majority of health care workers in Washington are vaccinated against COVID-19
SEATTLE, Wash. -- A statewide survey of hospitals and health systems in Washington showed an increase in health care worker vaccinations ahead of the state deadline. The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) surveyed members about their staff vaccination rates ahead…
Merck asks US FDA to authorize promising anti-COVID pill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Merck asked U.S. regulators Monday to authorize its pill for treating COVID-19 in what would add an entirely new and easy-to-use weapon to the world's arsenal against the pandemic.
Fauci says it's safe to trick-or-treat this year
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that it’s an important time of year for children, so “go out there” and “enjoy it.”
Merck asks FDA to authorize promising anti-COVID pill
Merck has asked U.S. regulators to authorize its pill against COVID-19 in what would add a new and easy-to-use weapon to the world's arsenal against the pandemic.
You'll want to head to WSU's homecoming game early to show proof of vaccination, negative COVID test
Starting on Saturday, anyone 12 and older will have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or an FDA-approved negative.
WSU reports nearly 90 percent of employees, 95 percent students are vaccinated
WSU employees were required to verify their vaccine status by Oct. 4 to be considered fully vaccinated by the deadline.
St. Maries schools reopening Monday with mask requirement in place
ST. MARIES, Idaho -- The St. Maries School District will reopen schools on Monday with a mask requirement in place. The district closed schools on September…
Kootenai Health says crush of COVID patients getting worse
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — The North Idaho hospital that was the first in the state to institute health care rationing due to surging COVID-19 cases says the situation is growing worse. Kootenai Health reported a record 150 coronavirus inpatients…
'Vaccines are going to keep us in school': Majority of Spokane-area school staff are vaccinated
The deadline is approaching for public school and state workers to get accommodations for vaccine exemptions or lose their jobs. 4 News Now reached out to several districts for their numbers.
Central Valley School Board candidates want current board members recalled
There's a fight underway for the future of our schools and it's happening at school districts all over the country.
'It is very very scary': 7-year-old survives rare COVID side effect, reunites with family
It's been nearly two weeks since 7-year-old Harmony Rowe has hugged her dad. What started with a fever turned into a 12-day stay at the hospital for her.
2 East Valley School District employees leave because of vaccine mandate
Two East Valley School District employees have parted from their positions because of the state’s vaccine mandate.
Maryland man allegedly killed his pharmacist brother over administering COVID-19 vaccine, court says
A Maryland man accused of killing his pharmacist brother and two others told his mother he wanted to "confront" his brother over "him administering COVID vaccines," according to court documents.
UW Medicine requiring transplant recipients to be vaccinated against COVID-19
SEATTLE, Wash. -- UW medicine patients will be denied an organ transplant if they refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The hospital’s website says all patients in need of a transplant must get vaccinated before their surgery. “All major organ…
Spokane Public Schools says only 3 employees plan on leaving over vaccine mandate
From the state's vaccine mandate to how many cases were in the schools, board members covered it all.
Exemptions, but no accommodations: Unvaccinated firefighters call mandate a ‘personal attack’
In 12 days, at least a handful of Spokane firefighters will lose their jobs. They claim their religious beliefs tell them not to get vaccinated.
Another record day: Kootenai Health breaks number of COVID hospitalizations once again
There are currently 150 COVID hospitalizations, 43 of those are in critical care, and two are pediatric cases.
MultiCare needs volunteers for a COVID-19 vaccine booster trial
The trial's goal is to see how the immune response of a COVID-19 booster shot with other vaccines.
State workers, including Spokane firefighters sue over vaccine mandate
The suit claims “the plaintiffs are on the brink of having adverse employment action against them. It claims that in each case “a form of disability or sincere religious belief requires them to decline vaccination.”
More Washington State Troopers report getting COVID-19 vaccine
That means 152 of its 2,184 employees could face getting fired if they do not meet the vaccine mandate deadline of Oct. 18.
Flush with COVID-19 aid, some schools across country steer funding to sports
With few limits on how the coronavirus relief funding can be spent, some districts have used large portions to cover athletics projects they couldn't previously afford.
'This is not leadership': Spokane Fire Department battalion chief leaves over vaccine mandate
Battalion Chief David Heizer sent a letter to Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer and Mayor Nadine Woodward saying it isn't his choice to stop serving the community, but instead theirs.
