SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. – Skagit County is not eligible to move to Phase 3 of the Governor’s Safe Start plan.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports the county has had about 27 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past week, which is over the limit of 25 required to move forward.

Skagit County meets other requirements laid out in the plan including testing, hospital capacity and contact tracing.

County health officer Howard Leibrand says he believes the county will have to stay in Phase 2 at least two more weeks.

Whatcom County is also remaining in Phase 2 due to high case counts.