SPOKANE — A rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in Spokane County and mounting concerns about the spread of the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to a requirement for all students, faculty and staff to wear masks at Eastern Washington University’s semester programs.
According to a news release, EWU interim President David May announced on Aug. 17 that all students, faculty and staff in EWU’s semester programs will be required to wear masks while indoors on the WSU-Spokane campus and in the Catalyst building. The mask requirement also extends to any outdoor location where people congregate.
The new mandate will take effect on Monday, Aug. 23. Masking requirements will be reevaluated on Sept. 15, at which time May, in consultation with university experts and local public health officials, will make a determination for the entire university. Modifications to the current masking requirements may be made at any time.
The Spokane-specific mandate stipulates that EWU faculty and staff working alone in an enclosed office on the WSU-Spokane campus or in the Catalyst building space do not need to wear a mask. Masks will be required, however, for faculty and students in classrooms. Masks are also required for other indoor activities such as meetings, passing between classes and using restrooms. Masks may be removed when a person is actively eating or drinking.
The goal, Dr. May says, is to ensure the continued health and safety of the EWU community.
According to dashboard information from the Spokane Regional Health District, Covid-19 cases were 23 confirmed cases as of July 3, with a rolling seven-day average of 28 cases. That climbed to 251 confirmed cases by Aug. 9, with a seven-day rolling average of 201.
Confirmed cases as of Aug. 13 had dropped to 172, but the rolling average had climbed to 209. Hospitalizations have also risen, from just two per day on July 7 and a rolling average of four to 14 per day and a rolling average of 17 by Aug. 13.
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