WA health leaders renew push for indoor masking as COVID cases rise, but stop short of mandates

The state’s public health leaders are again “strongly recommending” all Washingtonians wear face masks indoors as some COVID trends continue to steadily rise, but are not issuing any mandates.

Cases and hospitalizations have been increasing for the past two months as widespread indoor-mask requirements ended and omicron subvariants picked up steam, but state Department of Health officials continue to report severe illness and death remain much lower during past surges. Now, their reminders of public health recommendations carry a stronger sense of urgency.

“This is the time to remind ourselves that this pandemic is not over,” state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah said in a Wednesday news conference. “In indoor settings that are crowded or in confined places, we absolutely want you to wear a mask.”

As of early May, the state recorded a seven-day infection rate of about 245.3 cases per 100,000 people, or about 2,600 new infections per day. In mid-March, Washington’s infection rate was about 40.4 cases per 100,000.