As more people are tested when they're not feeling well Yakima is seeing more positive cases. Last week the number was number was 622 cases per 100,000 today the number is 736 cases per 100,000.

THE LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION IS STILL CONSIDERED HIGH

Health officials still term the level of community transmission as high. 51 people are hospitalized. 449 people have died over the last year and a half with 425 people who had underlying health conditions.
The statewide mask mandate started Monday. Masks are now required by both the vaccinated and unvaccinated in indoor settings.

YAKIMA'S TESTING SITE IS CLOSED TUESDAY BECAUSE OF SMOKE

Local health officials urge everyone who is unvaccinated to get the vaccine and to wash hands on a frequent basis. The Yakima Community-Based Testing Site at the State Fair Park will be closed on Tuesday, August 24 due to poor air quality and is expected to resume its hours of operation on Wednesday.
You can call 2-1-1 for the location of other testing sites in the Yakima Valley.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available throughout the community including at local pharmacies just like the flu shot.

YAKIMA HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE EVERYONE TO GET THE VACCINE

Yakima Health District officials say "Yakima County has seen an alarming increase in cases, hospitalizations,and deaths due to COVID-19. From June 1 to August 17 the case rate increased from 120 to 508 per 100,000 the hospitalization rate increased from 2.7 to 7.0 per 100,000 and 23 community members have died due to COVID-19. This fourth wave of COVID-19 in Yakima County has been the most startling yet, with the increase in activity showing no sign of slowing and the increase being much faster than previous waves. Much of this has to do with the fact that the most dominant strain of COVID-19, Delta, is more than two times as contagious as previous variants"