Washington state brings back the mask mandate, teachers must get vaccinated, and ICU cases increase 72% in 24 hours.
New cases continue to grow statewide forcing University Washington Medicine to delay some elective procedures.
Vaccination rate is 59.7% in areas with the lowest number of new COVID cases versus 41% in the areas with the highest.
Temperatures in the 90s with significant lowland smoke is increasingly likely for next week.
COVID vaccination rates are increasing again as concern over the Delta variant grows - no change in mask guidance.
New cases, hospitalizations and ICU patients continue to grow as the Delta variant takes hold.
A mixed bag of weather is on tap for the weekend with temperatures approaching 90 on Friday.
The CDC is expected to update national mask guidance today as cases grow nationwide.
Officials are expressing deepening concern as the Delta variant becomes the dominant strain nationally.
This is the second closure for the Kirkland swimming area in 2021.