The Washington State Department of Health announced that all eight regions will remain in phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan until Jan. 25.
Earlier this month, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new statewide reopening plan.
The plan, called “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery,” moves away from a county-based oversight system to one focused on regions. Washington’s 39 counties will be divided into eight geographic regions based on health system resources.
Regions must meet four criteria before moving into phase 2:
• Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population.
• Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
• Less than 90% intensive care unit occupancy.
• COVID-19 test positivity of less than 10%.
Regions can reopen when they meet certain metrics based on hospital capacity and case data, Inslee said.
The Department of Health will reassess all metrics each week and announce any changes to current phase status.
Under the new plan, there are currently only two reopening phases to start. The state will add more phases as the state of the pandemic improves.
Cox Media Group
