Stand up paddle boarding will no longer be permitted

OLYMPIA–Washington State Parks has opened the St. George’s Put-in on the Little Spokane River this Friday, May 28. Starting this year, State Parks will no longer allow stand up paddle boards (SUPs) in the Little Spokane River Natural Area. This is in keeping with the regulation that prohibits certain activities within the area such as swimming, use of inner tubes or similar flotation.

Initial and continued claims for regular benefits decrease

OLYMPIA–There were 11,666 initial regular unemployment claims (down 40.5 percent from the prior week) and 416,462 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 11.2 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD) during the week of May 16 – May 22.

Inslee’s new proclamation requires employers to verify vaccination status of employees

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–Late last week Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation requiring employers to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of employees who wish to work without wearing a mask. It’s just his latest directive during the COVID-19 pandemic that is causing a problem. In addition, the Department of Labor and Industries is suggesting workers be marked according to their vaccination status.

Mitigation June Campaign

BOTHELL, Wash.–Mitigation June is an education campaign to encourage everyone to understand their risk to natural hazards and take actions to mitigate those risks. Throughout June, FEMA Region 10 will highlight through social channels and advisories projects demonstrating mitigation, share information and ideas about understanding risk, and provide actions to mitigate risk.

Newest COVID numbers

OLYMPIA–The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 399,710 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on May 26. There have been 5,754 COVID-19 deaths in Washington.

For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health’s dashboard and the state’s Roadmap to Recovery Metrics dashboard.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from the Washington State Department of Health

OLYMPIA–The Department of Health continues to make progress with its COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration efforts. As of May 22, more than 6,749,266 doses of vaccine have been given across the state, which is nearly 86 percent of the 7,875,030 doses delivered to our providers and federal partnership programs. More than 50 percent of people in Washington 16 years and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and nearly 61 percent of people 16 and older have received at least one dose.

Public health funding will improve service, outcomes in Washington State

OLYMPIA–Governor Jay Inslee has signed the budget recently passed by State Legislature which will provide a new budget for the Department of Health of $147 million for the 21-23 biennium and then $296 million in future biennia. It is too improve public health in state and local jurisdictions and tribes across the state.