Without a new pandemic relief package, Snohomish officials expect they'll have to make cuts in their relief services, including COVID testing. | Stock Photo
Without a new pandemic relief package, Snohomish officials expect they'll have to make cuts in their relief services, including COVID testing. | Stock Photo
Snohomish County leaders anticipate making significant cuts to COVID testing, PPE purchases, small business relief and other pandemic-related services if Congress doesn't approve a new relief package.
"We're entering the largest wave of the pandemic, and our money is running out," Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers told KING 5. "So, it's vitally important that we get further assistance,"
The county received $60 million in CARES Act funding, which ends Dec. 31.
A surge in confirmed cases and multiple outbreaks have in a new wave of restrictions, with long-term care facilities back to phase one, dine-in ending at restaurants and bars and gatherings severely limited in number.
Somers said the county could continue operations normally for a few months, but in late February and going into March, available funds will be short of what's needed to meet the outbreak's needs.
The isolation and quarantine site at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe barely got used during the summer. The surge has changed that, with 30 people at the area recently. It costs almost $450,000 each month to operate, KING 5 reported.
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