Inslee said the step is necessary because the delta variant of COVID-19 has fueled a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state. The number of eligible Washingtonians who haven’t gotten vaccinated — about 2 million — is another major factor causing cases to skyrocket, he said.
“The pandemic disease levels are extremely high and are exploding across our state, unfortunately,” Inslee said Aug. 18. “This is a reality we must face.”
As of Aug. 17, the number of people hospitalized from COVID-19 in Washington was averaging 144 a day, a peak not seen since January, according to the state Department of Health. Confirmed cases were approaching 3,000 a
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