In response to guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County, the City will be closing City Hall to the public starting at 12 p.m. today, March 16. Additionally, the Council Chamber will not be open to the public during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17.

Because of the alternative access options staff have developed, and in response to the new directives from Governor Inslee, we will be closing City Hall to the public starting at 12 p.m. today, March 16. After noon, the public will still be able to access remote services for all permit activities, parks registration, and enhanced use of the utility payment box to serve those without technology access. We will provide more information as we work to implement plans to create additional remote access to services.

“These closures are part of our ongoing efforts to keep our employees and the community safe while still providing essential services,” said City Manager Kurt Triplett. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility in the coming days and weeks.”  

The City Hall Council Chamber will also be closed to the public for the Tuesday, March 17 meeting. As always, the Kirkland City Council welcomes public involvement at its meetings and would like to encourage community members to take advantage of its available options for digital participation. The meeting can be viewed in real time via the live stream on the City website at: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/WatchCouncilMeetings.htm, and is televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Frontier Cable Channel 31. A study session immediately preceding the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., with the Council meeting starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. The agenda for the March 17 meeting is available on the City website at: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda_031720.htm.

Members of the public can provide comment in advance of the meeting using the public comment voicemail line, at 425-587-3090, or by email at: councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov.

“We thank Kirkland residents for their patience as we find ways to balance the preservation of public participation with the health and safety of our community,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “We are grateful to our IT department for its work to enhance our digital availability and look forward to receiving your comments and feedback through our ‘virtual’ options.”

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today an emergency proclamation that mandates the immediate two-week closure of all restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities, as well as additional limits on large gatherings. The new orders go into effect at midnight tonight and will be in place through March 31.

The announcement comes after the recent spike in numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state and across the country.

“If we are living a normal life, we are not doing our jobs as Washingtonians,” Inslee said. “We cannot do that anymore. We need to make changes, regardless of size. All of us need to do more. We must limit the number of people we come in contact with. This is the new normal.”

Inslee made the announcement in Seattle with King County Executive Dow Constantine and other local and health leaders via streaming and telephone to practice social distancing measures.

Statewide closure of all on-site food or beverage services

Inslee announced the two-week ban on any food or beverage service, regardless of location, that provides or allows on-site consumption.

The ban will not apply to grocery stores and pharmacies.

The ban includes, but is not limited to,

• Restaurants,
• Food courts,
• Bars and taverns,
• Wine, beer and spirits tasting venues,
• Doughnut shops and ice cream parlors,
• Coffee shops and
• Sit down airport restaurants and bars.

Take-out, delivery and drive-thru food and beverage services are not banned under the proclamation.

College and higher education campus dining halls are banned from providing on-site dining, but may provide take-out and delivery options. On-site food service and other related activities are permitted for childcare services and school-based food programs for K-12 schools.

Statewide guidance for social distancing in retail stores

Businesses are expected to ensure adequate environmental cleaning of stores and must designate an employee or officer to implement a social distancing plan for their business.

Once again, grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open under the emergency proclamation.

“The supply chain is strong,” Inslee said. “Grocery stores will continue operating and providing services to Washingtonians. There is no need to hoard food or supplies. Everyone needs to only buy what they need, and they need to remember when they overbuy, those things are taken away from their neighbors and others who need them now.”

Statewide closure of entertainment, leisure and non-essential services

Inslee also included entertainment, leisure and non-essential services in today’s emergency proclamation.

The ban includes, but is not limited to,

• Theaters,
• Bowling alleys,
• Gyms and fitness centers,
• Non-tribal card rooms,
• Museums,
• Art galleries,
• Tattoo parlors,
• Barbers, hair salons and nail salons.

Statewide ban on gatherings of 50 or larger

Inslee also announced a further executive order expanding on orders from last week. Last Friday, Inslee expanded the ban on events larger than 250 beyond the Puget Sound region to the entire state. Today, he announced the ban will decrease in size to prohibit all events of 50 or larger statewide.

Additionally, all gatherings with under 50 participants are prohibited unless criteria from the CDC for public health and social distancing are met.

“I am proud of how Washingtonians have stepped up and worked together,” Inslee said. “I know we still have long days ahead, but I know that together we will prevail and be a stronger state as a result. We will get through this together and life will return to normal, but the steps we are taking now will help us get back to normal sooner."

"I ask everyone to take these steps to protect themselves, their families and their communities. Everyone needs to play their part."

Request to federal government on personal protective equipment

Earlier today, Inslee joined fellow governors on a call with President Trump and Vice President Pence. Inslee asked the administration to change how personal protective equipment (PPE) is allocated. Currently, PPE is allocated to each state equally, but Inslee made the case that allocations should be distributed according to need, in states like Washington, with high cases numbers and fatalities.

To see the latest COVID-19 proclamations, please visit: https://www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/proclamations. 

Photo courtesy of Gov. Jay Inslee

The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.

Update on First Responders

Fire Station 21 is now back into service after receiving a professional deep cleaning. Though none of the firefighters that were quarantined at Station 21 received a positive result for the COVID-19 virus, every surface of the 8,000 square foot building was cleaned by specially trained crews.

The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and responding to calls as normal.  City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols.

The City of Kirkland currently has five firefighters and zero police officers in quarantine. Thirty-seven firefighters have now been released after completing their recommended quarantine period. All five first responders are in isolation or quarantine at home.

All of our first responders that are currently symptomatic are in the process of being tested. We’ve had twenty-five tests come back negative, and one positive test for COVID-19. For the tests results that have been negative, first responders will remain in quarantine for the entire 14-day period recommended by Public Health Seattle-King County. We have received questions regarding criteria for testing our firefighters. Testing criteria is established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In King County, testing is managed by Public Health Seattle-King County. At this time the CDC is recommending that clinicians use their judgement to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. More information on testing requirements is available on the CDC website.

While the City appreciates the outpouring of support and concern from the community for our first responders, the City cannot accept donations at this time.

Update on City Hall Operations

Following current direction from Public Health—Seattle & King County, as of 12 p.m. today, March 16 City Hall is closed to the public. All City evening meetings except for City Council meetings have been cancelled until the end of March. This includes Commissions, Boards, and all Neighborhood Association meetings. The Council Chamber will not be open to the public during City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17. The meeting will be live streamed on the City website at http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/WatchCouncilMeetings.htm or can be watched on your television on Comcast Cable Channel 21 or Frontier Cable Channel 31. Members of the public will be able to provide comment in advance of the meeting by phone or email to  425-587-3090 or councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov. We will provide additional details about providing public comment on Monday, March 16. The agenda for the March 17 meeting is available on the city’s website at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda_031720.htm. 

Parks Operations

The City has also cancelled all recreation programming, classes, and facility rentals through Friday, April 24. That includes community centers, recreation programs, facility rentals, athletic fields and picnic shelters. While the City encourages informal use of the parks, please be mindful of the recommended social distancing and proper handwashing and sanitation. Community centers, athletic fields and picnic shelters are anticipated to reopen on April 27, pending any additional guidelines from the state. In addition, YMCA will close KTUB, the Kirkland Teen Center, at Peter Kirk Park through Tuesday, March 31.

The annual boating season begins April 1. The city’s boat launch will remain in the open position throughout the month of April. Boat launch cards will be required beginning May 1. All boaters are encouraged to purchase their boat launch card online or by phone. Purchased cards will be mailed.

All parks and recreation business can be conducted online at www.kirklandparks.net or by phone at 425-587-3300. Anyone unable to utilize a credit card for online transactions are encouraged to call the customer service center at 425-587-3300. Alternate payment methods such as cash, check or scholarship can be arranged.

The parks maintenance center customer counter will be closed. All business should be directed to 425-587-3340. Issues in the parks can be reported at http://ourkirklandwa.gov.

Spring and summer recreation program registration begins March 19. Registration will proceed as scheduled, opening at 6 a.m. on March 19. However, only programs beginning in May will be available for registration. Programs are expected to resume in May, pending any additional guidelines received by the Washington State Department of Public Health. 

Court Operations

The Kirkland Municipal Court is modifying their court schedule. Effective Monday, March 16 - March 27, 2020, the court will reschedule all hearings except for mandatory DV/DUI charges (which must be heard the next judicial day) and in-custody defendants. More court details are available at: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Municipal_Court.htm More information and full list of recommendations are available from Public Health—Seattle & King County.

Update on Guidance from the State, County, and Federal Governments

Today, Governor Jay Inslee ordered statewide closure of food establishments to sit-in service and the prohibition of gatherings of more than 50 people. In addition, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, issued a parallel local Health Officer Order for King County to prohibit gatherings of fewer than 50 people unless measures are taken by event organizers to minimize risk. Dr. Duchin also ordered the closure of food establishments except for pick up and delivery. More information is available on the Public Health Seattle-King County website. 

Update from Lake Washington School District

Based on Governor Inslee’s announcement on March 12th, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will now be closed through April 24th and will re-evaluate any further closures during that time.

For more information visit the Lake Washington School District website.

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Kirkland City Council is pleased to announce that Fire Station 21 is officially back in service.

Fire Station 21 was put back into service after receiving an 8-hour professional deep cleaning on March 13. Though none of the firefighters that were quarantined at Station 21 received a positive result for the COVID-19 virus, every surface of the 8,000 square foot building was cleaned by specially trained crews. This cleaning was done out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our firefighters.  The station is now fully staffed this evening with its typical three-person crew.

“We are thrilled to be able to put the Forbes Creek fire station back into service. Reopening Fire Station 21 for fire and emergency medical calls is an important return to normalcy for our crews and our residents,” said the Council. “We want to share this key milestone with our community which has been so supportive of our first responders during these challenging times. We are so grateful for the selfless dedication of those firefighters who have been in quarantine and those who have continued to respond to calls without hesitation during this COVID-19 incident. We know that federal and state officials are saying that our response to this incident will last for weeks, even months. During this time, we are all being asked to make sacrifices. We thank everyone for their willingness to do what is needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and to protect our most vulnerable populations.”

The City Council is also strongly advocating at the county, state and federal levels to make COVID-19 testing available for all first responders and all community members as soon as possible, as well as for more personal protection equipment (PPE) for Kirkland first responders from the national strategic stockpiles. The Council is working directly with the Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Representative Susan DelBene and Governor Inslee’s office to improve testing access, secure PPE, and help allocate federal and state COVID-19 response funding directly to cities.

The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and responding to calls as normal. City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols.

The City of Kirkland currently has twelve firefighters in home quarantine.  Thirty firefighters have now been released after completing their recommended quarantine period. The City has a different facility in Kirkland available for quarantine if the situation changes in the future.

All of our first responders that are currently symptomatic are in the process of being tested. We’ve had twenty-three tests come back negative, and one positive test for COVID-19. Firefighters that tested negative as well as firefighters that were exposed to COVID-19 but never demonstrated symptoms all remained in quarantine for the entire 14-day period recommended by Public Health Seattle-King County. We have received questions regarding criteria for testing our firefighters. Testing criteria is established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In King County, testing is managed by Public Health Seattle-King County. At this time the CDC is recommending that clinicians use their judgement to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. More information on testing requirements is available on the CDC website.

While the City appreciates the outpouring of support and concern from the community for our first responders, the City cannot accept donations at this time.

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Today, Governor Jay Inslee ordered statewide closure of food establishments to sit-in service and the prohibition of gatherings of more than 50 people. In addition, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, issued a parallel local Health Officer Order for King County to prohibit gatherings of fewer than 50 people unless measures are taken by event organizers to minimize risk. Dr. Duchin also ordered the closure of food establishments except for pick up and delivery. There is widespread community transmission of COVID-19, and all of us need to stay away from others in order to slow the spread of the virus and preserve the health care system’s capacity to treat people at highest need.

Public Health is reporting 68 new cases today, bringing the official case count in King County to 488. In addition, six new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths to 43.

Governor and Local Health Officer Orders:

Today, Governor Jay Inslee ordered a statewide prohibition of gatherings of more than 50 people and the closure of food establishments to sit-in service.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County issued a parallel local Health Officer Order in King County. Under the Health Officer’s orders, until further notice:

• All events with 50 people or more are prohibited;

• All events with fewer than 50 people are discouraged and prohibited unless event organizers observe the COVID-19 prevention measures;
• All bars, dance clubs, fitness and health clubs, movie theatres, night clubs, and other social and recreational establishments are closed;
• All restaurants and food service establishments shall cease providing dining room services but may remain open for drive-through, take-out and delivery services and must adhere to the COVID -19 Public Health – Seattle and King County Guidance for retail businesses and service operators.
• At this time, retail businesses and service operators such as grocery stores, drug stores, and other essential services not required to be closed by the Order may continue to provide services as long as they take steps to minimize the spread of disease. Additional guidance will be issued and posted on www.kingcounty.gov/COVID.

“These orders are essential to protect our whole community from an unprecedented outbreak, especially the most vulnerable people and our health care system,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “For the younger and healthy adults, please understand your actions have consequences beyond your personal health. Although your personal risk may be relatively low, if you don’t stay away from others, more people in our community will be infected. This may result in the overload of the healthcare system making it hard for friends, family members and others who are vulnerable for serious illness getting the care they need when they need it.”

About events

Under this local Health Officer Order, an “event” is defined as a public gathering for business, social, or recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities, unless event organizers take steps to minimize risk. Specifically, organizers of events of fewer than 50 people must ensure that:

• Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions that are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 are encouraged not to attend (including employees);
• Social distancing recommendations must be met (i.e., limit contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer);
• Employees must be screened for coronavirus symptoms each day and excluded if symptomatic;
• Proper hand hygiene and sanitation must be readily available to all attendees and employees; and
• Environmental cleaning guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently).

The Health Officer’s Order goes into effect today, March 16, 2020, and has no specified end date.

Why this Health Officer Order was issued

COVID-19 is spreading in King County, with hundreds of cases having been reported to date. We expect the case count to double every 5–7 days unless these orders to stay away from others are followed diligently. Already, we can expect that anyone we come into contact with may be infected because there is wide-spread infection in our community.  

Follow the guidance for anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 and their contacts on how to prevent the spread to others.

It’s critical to minimize the number of people who get seriously ill at the same time. If too many people get sick all at once, this will put too much of a burden on our health care system. If that happens, people at highest risk – people over 60, and with underlying health conditions – may not be able to get the care they need if they get seriously ill. 

About enforcement

Our initial community mitigation strategies have been well-accepted by many, and we believe these new actions will be accepted in the same way to protect our community’s health. For the King County Order, violating a Local Health Officer Order is a misdemeanor. 

Case updates

Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the following confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 through 11:59 p.m. on 3/15/20

• 488 confirmed cases (up 68 from yesterday)
• 43 confirmed deaths (up 6 from yesterday)

These additional deaths include:

• A man in his 80s, who died on 3/15
• A woman in her 70s, who died on 3/15
• A man in his 80s, who died on  3/11
• A woman in her 50s, who died 3/8 at Harborview Medical Center
• A woman in her 70s, who died on 3/14 at Northwest Hospital
• A woman her 90s, a resident of Redmond of Redmond Care & Rehab, who died on 3/12

Of the 43 deaths reported, 29 are confirmed to be associated with Life Care Center.

Isolation and quarantine facilities update

There is one resident of King County needing a safe place for isolation and quarantine has been admitted to the facility in Kent. Individuals can only be placed into these sites after a health professional with Public Health - Seattle & King County has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.

The number of persons in King County’s isolation and quarantine sites will be included in regular updates provided by Public Health - Seattle & King County. No other identifying or personal information will be provided. 

Note to media:

Public Health provides confirmed numbers of cases reported to us, including numbers of deaths, each day that are official through 11:59 p.m. the night before.