Yakima Times

Yakima County is one of several eastern Washington communities that is currently showing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases that are being reported, the Yakima Herald reported. 

The Washington Health Department’s weekly situational report, which showed an increase in confirmed cases in Yakima, where so far 146 deaths have been linked with the coronavirus.

The situational report predicts the coronavirus burden to “increase substantially” in Yakima County, as well as in Spokane, Benton and Franklin counties, over the coming weeks.

The state health department has additional hospital capacity and testing may be needed in the affected counties, the Yakima Herald reported.

“This is not a time to give up on efforts to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “We are still in the middle of a pandemic that is continuing to infect and kill Washingtonians.”