Changes to Lake Roosevelt White Sturgeon Fishing Seasons

Washington State will make some big changes concerning marking rules in April, NE Tri- County Health highlighted in their monthly briefing, signaling even more movement to pre- COVID times. The masking requirement in healthcare and long- term care settings will end on April 3, 2023.

The Washington State Department of Health will end the Secretary of Health Mask Order on that date. The order currently requires people to be masked in healthcare, longterm care, and adult correctional facilities if they are five or older.

Local government, tribes, facilities, and providers can still continue requiring masks in these settings.

Worker protection requirements enforced by the state's Department of Labor & Industries (L& I) remain in effect. Employees and contractors may use facemasks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job without retaliation.

Meanwhile, COVID- 19 community spread remains low in both Stevens and Pend Oreille County, while the virus activity is medium in Ferry County. As always, NE Tri- County Health recommends vaccinations, staying home and isolating when sick, and taking other measures like masking in closed- in spaces to avoid spreading the virus.

There have been 35 COVID- 19 hospitalizations in the past seven days in the Spokane area, which includes NE Washington. Statewide, Washington sees about 56 cases per 100,000 people, and COVID- 19 patients currently occupy six percent of hospital beds.

NE Tri- County Health is hosting a vaccine event at its Newport office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 15 and at its Republic office on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p