Fourth wave of COVID is underway

By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health reports there were 13 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday, one less than were reported Tuesday. There are now four county residents who are hospitalized due to the novel coronavirus, an increase of three over the day before.

The Benton-Franklin Health District had 65 new cases Wednesday, after 71 were reported the day before. Of the Wednesday count, 36 are residents of Franklin County and 29 live in Benton County. There were 17 patients in area hospitals yesterday, one less than on Tuesday.

Washington health officials warned that the fourth wave of the virus is taking hold. Meanwhile, the state is ramping up its daily vaccine goal dramatically. The previous goal was 45,000 shots a day. It’s now 90,000 vaccinations.

More than 25 percent of the state’s residents have been fully vaccinated.