La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

New COVID-19 cases have dropped dramatically in Skagit County and across Washington state in the three weeks since Gov. Jay Inslee bet on opening the entire state to increased social and economic activity. An ongoing successful coronavirus vaccination campaign has driven down the virus infection rate and corresponding new cases. The state’s Department of Health reported 128.8 new Skagit County cases per 100,000 residents June 5. Only seven of 39 counties have over 200 cases per 100,000 population, a 67% reduction from 22 counties reporting above that threshold three weeks ago.

Inslee’s...