Inslee Warns of Continuing 4th Wave of COVID-19

Governor Jay Inslee announced during a press conference Thursday that Washington is continuing to see a 4th wave of COVID-19.

Inslee said that one of the reasons for the spike is the rise in new variants, with the UK variant B.1.1.7 now firmly established as the dominant strain in Washington.

"These varieties, these new mutations, are now well over 50% of the total load of our virus. This is bad news for us because these are more transmittable." Inslee explained, "Each person with the same disease can transmit it more easily. The science is highly suggestive that this is a significant reason why the virus is increasing in our state."

The most recent spike in cases is being blamed on those in the younger age brackets. Younger Washingtonians are both more likely to be out in social situations and more likely to be unvaccinated. Hospitalizations among the young have largely involved co-morbidities like asthma and diabetes and have resulted on average in less visits to the ICU, less intubations, a quicker recovery and easier discharges.

Inslee was asked if he intends to change the metrics again with the potential of King and Snohomish counties joining Pierce and others back in Phase 2, as well as a possibility the entire state could roll back due to hospitalizations. Despite increases in cases and hospitalizations the governor doesn't see the need for any statewide rollbacks, although he added things could change.