YAKIMA, WASH. – Health officials said this week that 145 workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a Costco store near Yakima, but the store remains open while Yakima Health District investigates.
Infected workers are in quarantine, the Union Gap store is conducting site-wide tests and more cases are expected to be reported, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported. In a press release, Heath County said it would continue to monitor the outbreak that began before Christmas, when 68 workers tested positive for the virus.
Yakima County commissioners issued a statement this week saying they agreed to keep the store open, but harshly criticized Governor Jay Inslee’s orders to slow the spread of the virus, which affects small businesses, schools and churches.
“Our local Costco store can remain open safely, despite a known outbreak, and yet schools, restaurants, gyms, theaters and other companies cannot,” the commissioners said.
Commissioners approved a proclamation earlier this month, urging Inslee to give more words to local authorities in managing the coronavirus pandemic.
As cases began to escalate in November, Inslee ordered new stops on November 15 for restaurants, theaters and gyms. He extended the restrictions until January 11.
Yakima County has exceeded 20,000 total COVID-19 cases this week. The number of deaths in the county since mid-March is approaching 300.