Yakima Health District officials are warning about a rise in local cases that could lead to more hospitalizations. A news release says recent information shows the community is currently moving into its second wave of COVID-19 activity. Over the last week, cases of COVID-19 have doubled and hospitalizations have increased. The release says on Tuesday, the Yakima Health District Disease Investigation Team conducted a site visit to Summitview Healthcare Center where they reported 50 cases of COVID-19, 27 among staff and 23 among residents. As a result 4 people have died.

The officials say with cold temperatures arriving they're concerned people will likely to participate in higher risk activities like socializing indoors without masks on, in close proximity. They say as more individuals engage in high-risk behavior, there will be an increase in COVID-19 activity across the community.

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