KXLY
December 19, 2020 3:33 PM Emily Oliver
SPOKANE, Wash. Health officials reported the second lowest overnight spike in COVID-19 cases Spokane County has seen in recent weeks on Saturday.
An additional 192 people have tested positive for the virus. Spokane saw its lowest case spike since early November on Wednesday when 129 people tested positive. At the time, health officials tentatively credited statewide restrictions for avoiding a post-Thanksgiving surge in cases.
That said, Spokane also saw its highest spike in cases on Dec. 8 when 686 people tested positive. The Spokane Regional Health District said a recent outbreak at the Airway Heights Corrections Center was partially to blame for that shocking rise in numbers.
10 more deaths from COVID-19 in Spokane County, total now at 327 khq.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from khq.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Inslee Unveils State Budget Proposal chronline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chronline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
COVID-19 vaccinations begin for healthcare workers in Spokane, North Idaho
A transplant doctor with Providence in Spokane and staff members at Kootenai Health in North Idaho are receiving the coronavirus vaccine on Friday. Author: Megan Carroll Updated: 6:56 PM PST December 21, 2020
SPOKANE, Wash. Health care facilities in Spokane and North Idaho are beginning to administer COVID-19 vaccines to staff members.
A transplant physician with Providence Health Care received the first coronavirus vaccine administered in Spokane County on Friday morning. Hundreds of staff members are also receiving the vaccine at Kootenai Health in Coeur d Alene.
Providence Executive Vice President and Regional Chief Executive Elaine Couture administered the vaccine to Dr. Okechukwu Ojogho, who spent his night shift performing a kidney and pancreas transplant beforehand.
Updated: 6:21 AM PST December 18, 2020
SPOKANE, Wash Interim Spokane Health Officer Dr. Frank Velazquez announced his support on Thursday for school districts to allow phasing in third through fifth graders for in-person learning starting in mid-January.
In a press release from the Spokane Regional Health District, Velazquez said schools in Spokane County have been working closely with SRHD to develop plans for the eventual return of all elementary grades to in-person learning.
“We’re watching the data closely and will include specific expectations of the school districts within our guidance. The intent of these expectations is to assure the community of the school district’s ability to safely manage the additional student body while maintaining pandemic health measures,” Velazquez said in the release. “We feel confident in the plans these school districts have developed.”