|
Dear friends and neighbors,
I’ve been hearing from many of you over the past few days about your concerns regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The Puget Sound region was one of the first areas in the nation with confirmed coronavirus infections and unfortunately there has been one reported death of a King County resident in Kirkland as a result of becoming infected with the virus. And today, there have been two more confirmed cases bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to six.
I am currently in Washington, DC attending the 2020 National Association of Counties (NACO) Legislative Conference. This morning, I attended the Large Urban County Caucus meeting with a briefing on the outbreak presented by CDC Chief Medical Officer Michael Wolfe who stressed staying informed and checking the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
Keep in mind, that most cases involving coronavirus are mild, but it is important that we all take steps to reduce the spread of the illness. This is a rapidly developing situation so the best thing you can do right now is stay informed.
Here is the latest from King County Public Health on what you can do to help:
-
Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
- Stay home when sick
- Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check and subscribe to Public Health’s website (kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.kingcounty.gov).
According to Public Health, there are no medications specifically approved for coronavirus. Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications. However, some cases develop pneumonia and require medical care or hospitalization.
Be sure to click the following link to sign up for email alerts from Public Health when new information is posted to the website: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKING/subscriber/new?topic_id=WAKING_1386
I am monitoring this situation closely and will also be sending new information to you when it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Kohl-Welles
|
