New mask rules start in King County and Pierce County on Tuesday

Public Health Seattle and King County released new data to show the COVID-19 vaccine works.

In King County over the past 30 days, people who were not fully vaccinated were seven times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, 49 times more likely to be hospitalized and 32 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people, according to Public Health Seattle and King County.

The King County outdoor mask requirement goes into effect Tuesday, and everyone will be required to mask up outdoors at events of 500 people or more.

On Monday, fans lined up early outside T-Mobile Park for the Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer concert.

The “Hella Mega Tour” was postponed by the pandemic. It had been scheduled for July 2020.

T-Mobile did not require fans in their seats to wear masks on Monday night. Masks are required in indoor spaces — or everywhere if fans are not vaccinated.

The Washington State Fair is in full swing, with everyone 5 and older required to wear masks indoors and out. The rules are being enforced by private security, but fairgoers told KIRO 7 they were concerned many people were not wearing masks.

Starting Tuesday in Pierce County, masks will also be required at outdoor gatherings of 500 and more people.

State health officials are concerned about the high number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The number of new COVID-19 cases has been hovering at 4,000 a day. Hospitalizations usually come two weeks later.

This Labor Day weekend, the State Department of Health asked people not to travel and not to participate in outdoor activities where they could get hurt and need medical care. The health care system is already overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. More patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Washington now than at any other time during the pandemic.

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