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The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.
This remains a dynamic event. We currently have twenty-six firefighters and three police officers in quarantine. One firefighter was released Monday after completing their recommended quarantine period. All twenty-nine are linked to responses to incidents at the Life Center of Kirkland. Twelve first responders are showing flu-like symptoms, and nineteen have confirmed direct exposure. Most are in isolation or quarantine at home. Fire Station 21 continues to be kept offline and is available to firefighters for quarantine, and we have identified an additional building for isolation.
The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and are responding to calls as normal. City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols.
“Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of our community and first responders,” said Chief Joe Sanford. “I’m so proud of our first responders who have stepped up to make sure that our community is still receiving the highest level of service.”
The City has received requests from residents wondering how they can assist in the response. The most important thing people can do right now is heed Public Health - Seattle & King County’s recommendations and take specific actions to reduce the risk individuals and families, including:
- More hand washing; less face touching. Regular handwashing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water will decrease risk that the virus is transmitted.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
- Be prepared at home:
- Have a plan to care for family members should they get sick or schools/offices be closed.
- Know workplace telecommute options and school/daycare policies.
- Stock up on food supplies and prescription medications now to avoid leaving home if you or someone in your household becomes infected.
The City also encourages community members to follow the recommendations provided by the Public Health - Seattle & King County, including: 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. Please only call 911 if you’re experiencing an emergency.
- 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 (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or Public Health Insider blog.
The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak. You can also find updates and information on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/kirklandwa.gov/ and our Twitter at: https://twitter.com/kirklandgov.
Public Health – Seattle & King County announced on Tuesday seven additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County residents, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 21, including eight deaths.
COVID-19 test results have come back from the Washington State Public Health Laboratory confirming seven additional cases of COVID-19 in King County residents. With these seven new results, the total number of cases in King County is 21. Today's results include 2 additional deaths, along with an individual who was previously reported as ill but who has now died. This brings the total number of deaths in King County from COVID-19 to eight.
Key messages of the day:
- What we have seen with the level of community spread has raised the level of concern about the immediate threat of COVID-19. The coming days and weeks are likely to bring more confirmed cases of COVID-19, but if we can all follow health recommendations now, we can blunt the impact of COVID-19 in our community.
What Public Health is doing:
This is a massive undertaking and we have a talented, dedicated team digging in to learn everything we can to protect the health of our community. What we have seen with the level of community spread has raised the level of concern about the immediate threat of COVID-19, particularly for vulnerable populations such as people over 60, those with underlying health conditions or who are immune compromised.
"This is a very fluid, fast-moving situation as we aggressively respond to this outbreak," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. "People with suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19 should reach out to their healthcare provider. As public health professionals we really appreciate clinicians on the front lines of patient care and they are critical to this response."
King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center:
- If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you're a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977.
- The call center will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM PT.
- For general concerns and questions about COVID-19, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.
When to seek medical evaluation and advice:
- If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your healthcare provider. Do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
The public can help:
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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 away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
- Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check and subscribe to Public Health's website (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.publichealthinsider.com).
Remember to take every day preventive action such as watching hands, and if you are sick stay home. During an outbreak with a new virus there is a lot of uncertainty. Our guidance and advice is subject to change as we learn more. We will continue to keep you updated.
The seven new cases are in:
- A female in her 40s, worked at LifeCare, never hospitalized and is recovering at home
- A female in her 60s, family member of a confirmed case of COVID-19, not hospitalized
- A male in his 70s, a frequent visitor of LifeCare, hospitalization status unknown currently
- A male in his 20s, unknown exposure, hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah
- A male in his 20s, unknown exposure, hospitalized at Swedish Issaquah
- A female in her 80s, resident of LifeCare, never hospitalized, died at her family home on 2/26/20
- A male in his 50s, resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center and died on 2/26/20
14 other cases, already reported earlier by Public Health, include:
- A male in his 50s, hospitalized at Highline Hospital. No known exposures. He is in stable but critical condition. He had no underlying health conditions.
- A male in his 70s, a resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man had underlying health conditions, and died 3/1/20
- A female in her 70s, a resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman had underlying health conditions, and died 3/1/20
- A female in her 80s, a resident of LifeCare, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She is in critical condition.
- A female in her 80s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. This person died on 3/1/20.
- A female in her 90s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
- A male in his 70s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man has underlying health conditions, and is in critical condition
- A male in his 70s was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He had underlying health conditions and died on 2/29/20.
- A man in his 60s, hospitalized at Valley Medical Center in Renton.
- A man in 60s, hospitalized at Virginia Mason Medical Center.
- A woman in her 50s, who had traveled to South Korea; recovering at home
- A woman in her 70s, who was a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and died on 3/2/20
- A woman in her 40s, employed by LifeCare, who is hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center
- A man in his 50s, who was hospitalized and died 2/28/20 at EvergreenHealth
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