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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 06/17/2021 - After more than a year, Kittitas County is rescinding the local declaration of emergency in response to COVID-19. On March 6, 2020, Kittitas County declared an emergency, which is an official governmental procedure that provides additional resources and allows expedited processes in order to assist local response during emergencies that are overwhelming local capacity.
“It is difficult to take in everything that has occurred throughout the last year,” states Board of County Commissioner Chair Brett Wachsmith. “On March 6th of 2020 we declared an emergency and the next day our county had our first positive case of COVID-19 during a time when we were not sure who was at greatest risk or what the disease would do in the future. Although COVID-19 continues to impact Kittitas County, we are in a much different place than we were over a year ago.” On June 15th Kittitas County Board of Commissioners officially voted to rescind the emergency declaration which takes effect on June 21, 2021, at midnight. We have access to more information about COVID-19, increased response personnel, local systems in place to respond, and access to vaccine in Kittitas County. Currently, there is no danger of being overwhelmed by COVID-19 with the need for more resources. Our local response capacity will continue to be monitored. “On behalf of the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners, we want to thank the volunteers, numerous partner organizations, and local agencies who have assisted during the pandemic,” states Chairman Wachsmith. “We are hopeful that Kittitas County will continue to move forward in 2021.” To read the Kittitas County Resolution rescinding the declaration, please visit www.co.kittitas.wa.us. To read more about emergency declarations, visit https://astho.org/uploadedFiles/Programs/Preparedness/Public_Health_Emergency_Law/Emergency_Authority_and_Immunity_Toolkit/04-EmergDecAuthorities%20FS%20Final%203-12.pdf The Kittitas County COVID-19 impact dashboard will continue to be available along with other COVID-19 response resources at this time. Future updates about demobilization related to COVID-19 will be provided via press release.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Brett Wachsmith, Commissioner, 509-962-7508