Washington to shut down COVID-19 response website

Starting Dec. 1, users will be redirected to the coronavirus landing page on doh.wa.gov from the state coronavirus response website.

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The Washington State Department of Health announced in a press release Monday that the state will decommission its coronavirus response website Thursday, Dec. 1.

After Thursday, visitors will be redirected to the department’s COVID-19 landing page.

The change reflects the end of the COVID-19 emergency order and a decrease in web traffic, according to the release. The department is working with partners to transfer pandemic information to other state agency websites where appropriate.

The department advises everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated for both influenza and COVID-19, especially as hospitals are operating at higher-than-usual capacity this winter. 

Those who’ve already received their COVID-19 vaccine should get their booster. People 5 years and older who completed their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines at least two months ago can get the updated booster.

The department reminds the public that COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots can be safely administered at the same time. 

According to the most recent state data, influenza-like illness in Washington is “high.” There have been seven lab-confirmed deaths from influenza in Washington this year.

More information on COVID-19, influenza and other viruses are available at doh.wa.gov.

This report is made possible by the Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation in partnership with Northwest Public Broadcasting, the Lewiston Tribune and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.