YAKIMA, WAS. Health officials said this week that 145 workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a Costco store near Yakima, but the store remains open while the Yakima Health District investigates.
Infected workers are in quarantine, the Union Gap store is conducting site-wide testing and more cases are expected to be reported, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported. The Heath District said in a press release it will continue to monitor the outbreak that started before Christmas, when 68 workers tested positive for the virus.
Yakima County Commissioners released a statement this week saying they agreed to keep the store open, but sharply criticized Governor Jay Inslee’s orders intended to slow the spread of viruses, affecting small businesses, schools and churches.
“Our local Costco store can safely remain open despite a known outbreak, and yet our schools, restaurants, gyms, theaters and other businesses cannot,” said commissioners.
Commissioners earlier this month approved a proclamation calling on Inslee to give local authorities more say in managing the coronavirus pandemic.
As the number of cases started to increase in November, Inslee ordered new closures for restaurants, theaters and gyms on November 15. He has extended the restrictions until January 11.
Yakima County surpassed a total of 20,000 COVID-19 cases this week. The death toll in the province since mid-March is approaching 300.