Washington
Doctors urge public to vaccinate as Washington reaches 1-year anniversary of ‘tripledemic’
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/12-08-2023/t_314e5ce3675d466dabac0ba450f28c22_name_KIRO4CMG_Baumgardner_transfer_frame_1344__1_.jpeg "Doctors urge public to vaccinate as Washington reaches 1-year anniversary of ‘tripledemic’")
Wash. — Respiratory viruses are on the rise throughout the state.
Washington saw a similar trend this time last year, with the dangerous and wide-spreading “tripledemic.”
That’s when COVID-19, RSV, and influenza cases all peak at the same time, inundating hospitals.
It sent Emergency Department wait times soaring.
But this year, local health experts do not believe we face the same threat of a tripledemic.
However, several counties are seeing a rapid rise in both the flu and RSV and will for some time.
“We’ll continue to see rapid increase in flu and RSV over the coming three to four weeks,” says Dr. James Lewis with the Snohomish County Health Department.
He and the department are continuing to closely monitor hospitalizations and case counts in the North Sound.
“It is not something to mess with,” says parent, Ashlee Neilsen. Her son Gavin is now finally recovering from a month-long respiratory infection. “The fact that it lasts for three weeks, four weeks…that’s the scariest part.”
“Symptoms can last for a really long time,” warns Dr. Lewis. “Some people see 10 or 12 weeks.”
He also warns that while the tripledemic may be gone, long hospital wait times are here to stay.
“The hospital capacity, particularly through the ER, was strained to a breaking point during Covid. And unfortunately, that has not substantially improved. We’re still seeing pretty high wait times,” says Lewis.
He says the best thing families can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated against RSV, the flu, and COVID. All have vaccines available.
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Jun 01, 2025 02:47 AM IST
D.C. Police Department has dismissed reports of a shooting at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, confirming there is no active shooter on the premises.
The Washington D.C. Police Department has confirmed that reports of a shooting at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Saturday evening were false.
“There is NO active shooter or threat at the National Zoo. Officers are investigating a report of a fight between two adults,” police said in a post on X.
What happened?
Earlier in the evening, several witnesses took to social media claiming there was an active shooter on zoo grounds. Some reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running in panic.
“Currently at the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC where there is an active shooter on the premises. Police are here, the shooter is still believed to be active. Currently herded into the visitor center,” one witness wrote on X.
Another added, “We just passed by the zoo there were 11 police cars there !!!!”
A third person reported, “What’s up with the shooting noise??? Make the city safe again.”
Another person wrote, “Oh no an active shooter at the National Zoo. Info from an associate at the zoo right now in hiding with her daughter. This is terrible.”
Despite these reports, police have confirmed that no gunshots were fired and there is no active threat to the public.
Also Read: Mariucci Arena shooting leaves 2 injured after Wayzata High School graduation
Two people shot in Southeast DC
On Friday night, police responded to reports of gunshots fired in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers arrived at the 1200 block of I Street around 10:40 p.m. and found two men with gunshot wounds.
Both victims were conscious and breathing when first responders arrived and were quickly transported to local hospitals for treatment.
No arrests have been made so far, and police have not released any information about possible suspects.
SNOHOMISH — Washington State University is hosting a citizen science “Molt Search” program on June 2 in an effort to combat growing concerns about the European green crab.
Introduced to North America in the 1800s, the European green crab is considered one of the most invasive marine species by agencies across the country. Because it has few natural predators, it outcompetes native species and can destroy precious habitat, such as the eelgrass beds juvenile salmon and other young fish use as nurseries.
Washington agencies and tribes noticed an uptick in green crabs in 2018, with an even greater increase of sightings in 2021. In 2023, the Washington State Legislature appropriated over $6 million for green crab management.
As part of these management efforts, WSU Beach Watchers and Washington Sea Grant is promoting its Molt Search program. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gary Weikel Room at Willis Tucker Park, community members can learn how to conduct a timed survey for crab molt — outgrown and discarded shells — and report their findings through a mobile app.
“Since we are in the early stages of the spread of European Green Crab in inland Washington waters, early detection of these crabs is paramount,” Beach Watchers Program Coordinator Jonathan Robinson said. “That is why getting as many eyes out on the beach looking for European Green Crab molts is so important.”
On June 20, Washington Sea Grant is hosting its second annual Molt Blitz, where you can join citizen scientists across the state by reporting findings in your local area.
For more information on both events and European green crab management, you can visit https://wsg.washington.edu/crabteam/moltsearch/.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.
Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
At least one person died in Washington County, Kentucky, when a powerful tornado left widespread damage Friday morning.
The county’s sheriff’s office confirmed the death and multiple injuries in a Facebook post at 9:48 a.m. EDT, about two hours after the twister struck the area located about 50 miles southwest of Lexington.
“Please be respectful during this time. Prayers are needed for this family and our county,” the sheriff’s office also said.
(MORE: Canada Wildfires To Create Unhealthy Air For Millions In Midwest)
The National Weather Service will survey the damage today. According to NOAA’s database, this is the 63rd tornado death in the United States in 2025, and the 20th in Kentucky.
“The tornado occurred in a supercell thunderstorm that formed ahead of an area of low pressure tracking through Kentucky this morning,” said weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce. “The severe weather risk has ended in central Kentucky, but parts of the mid-Atlantic, Carolinas and Georgia could see storms produce wind damage, hail and an isolated tornado threat the rest of today.”
For more information on the severe weather threat in the Southeast later today, click here.
This is a developing story; please check back frequently for updates.
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