OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and his wife, Trudi, on Thursday urged people to forego gatherings and holiday travel plans as COVID-19 cases spike across the state, and the governor said further measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus will be announced in the coming days.

“This is a unique Thanksgiving and holiday season. We’re thankful that more therapeutics are on the way as is the imminent arrival of a vaccine. And so there is a lot more at our disposal to fight this virus then there was when the pandemic began. We are optimistic that Thanksgiving 2021 will be the best ever. But this year it’s just too dangerous to gather together indoors. Where the virus can spread so easily.”

Inslee’s remarks come just two days after state and county health officials warned of an acceleration of coronavirus cases, and pleaded with the public to take the pandemic more seriously heading into the winter holidays.

“We love each other too much to put each other’s health at risk. And unfortunately anyone can get covid, even if they think they’re doing the right thing. So this year, please don’t gather with people outside your household. It’s just too dangerous.”

On Tuesday, state health officer Kathy Lofy said cases have been steadily increasing since September, but that the most dramatic increases have occurred over the past two weeks. She said cases are rising among all age groups, indicating that transmission is widespread.