South Snohomish News

Snohomish County officials are concerned COVID-19 programs could be in dire straits should Congress fail to act in coming weeks with a new aid package.

Federal relief funding expires on Dec. 31, which would put county-run testing, personal protective equipment, small business relief and other programs at risk. KING 5 reported on Dec. 5, the county had received $60 million in CARES Act funding earlier this year, and another influx is needed.

“We’re in trouble, I think,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said, KING 5 reported.

One option for the county is to downsize the quarantine and isolation facility, which costs $450,000 monthly. However, the current surge in positive cases has resulted in the county using it more than it has previously, which makes downsizing a non-starter for the county.

That said, something will have to give, which means cuts to programs without federal relief.

“We’re able to continue our operations as normal for a few months, but once we start to move towards late February into March assuming that our activities are going to have to continue to escalate to attempt to meet the needs of the outbreak, those dollars are going to go short of distance,” Snohomish Health District Administrative Officer Shawn Frederick said, KING 5 reported.