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 store in Union Gap is testing around the world and more cases are expected to be reported, reports the Yakima Herald Republic. The pagan district said in a news release that it would continue to monitor the outbreak that began before Christmas, when 68 workers tested positive for the virus.
Yakima province commissioners issued a statement this week saying they agreed to keep the store open, but sharply criticized government orders Jay Inslee to slow the spread of viruses affecting small businesses. schools and churches affected.
“Our local Costco store can remain safely open despite a known outbreak, and yet our schools, restaurants, gyms, theaters and other businesses cannot,” commissioners said.
Commissioners earlier this month approved a proclamation urging Inslee to give local authorities more say in managing the coronavirus pandemic.
When business began to increase in November, Inslee ordered new closures for restaurants, theaters and gyms on November 15th. He extended the restrictions until January 11th.
Yakima County surpassed 20,000 total COVID-19 cases this week. The death toll in the province since mid-March is approaching 300.