COVID and monkeypox levels are down in WA; prevention efforts continue
Viral infection levels continue on a downward trend in Washington, bringing the state into a “cautiously optimistic” place as public health teams continue to work on COVID-19 and monkeypox prevention this fall. The state is approaching an “important milestone” in its COVID recovery journey, state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah said Thursday, referring to the Oct. 31 date when the state’s COVID state of emergency is set to expire. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

Knezovich plans to ‘clear’ Camp Hope by mid-October
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said he intends to clear Camp Hope by mid-October, citing crime and public health implications, and the plight of those living on the state-owned land off Interstate 90 in east Spokane.

Part of his plan is to provide bus tickets for the 600 homeless people living there so that they might reunite with family and find assistance in their recovery. Knezovich sent a letter outlining his plans and concerns to the Washington state Department of Transportation. The letter did not address the number of Camp Hope residents who may have come from outside the region and would therefore use the tickets. He said he will also engage church leaders to help with drug, alcohol and mental health treatmen Continue reading at Spokane Spokesman-Review. (Jesse Tinsley/Spokesman-Review)

Low unemployment rates continue in Yakima County, across Washington
Yakima County’s jobless rates remain at the lowest levels in decades. Continuing 17 months of decline, unemployment in the county in August stood at the lowest rate in at least 32 years. A newly released report shows the county’s jobless rate at 5.7% for last month, the lowest for that month since data began to be recorded electronically in 1990, said Don Meseck, regional labor economist with the state’s Employment Security Department. Continue reading at Yakima Herald.

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