SPOKANE (AP) — Gov. Inslee visited Okanogan County, site of the latest hot spot in a pandemic that has ravaged the counties of central Washington state.
Inslee said Thursday Okanogan County now has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases in the state with nearly 900 cases among its 42,000 residents. The town of Brewster, which has about 2,300 residents, is a particular hot spot with 514 cases.
A pattern has emerged in the central Washington farm belt with the Tri-Cities, Yakima and the Wenatchee area all being hard-hit by the virus. All share huge farm economies that require thousands of farm workers living and working in close proximity.