This week, Governor Inslee has issued a Stay Home, Stay Healthy order in Washington state to stop the spread of COVID-19. Only those going to work at an “essential business” are allowed to go to workplaces.
The City of Kirkland does not determine what is an “essential business” outside of the City’s own operations. Essential businesses are determined by the state and defined as “needed to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure sectors.” Additional sectors may be designated by the State Public Health Officer as critical to protect the health and well-being of Washingtonians.
For questions about whether an individual business should remain open or should be closed, the Governor has published a list of designated “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.” Go to https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business for the list of essential businesses as well as an online form to clarify status or to petition to be added to the list.
On March 25, the Governor issued a clarification about commercial and residential construction. In general, commercial and residential construction is not authorized under the Proclamation because construction is not considered to be an essential activity. However, an exception to the order allows for construction in the following limited circumstances:
- Construction related to essential activities as described in the order;
- To further a public purpose related to a public entity or governmental function or facility, including but not limited to publicly financed low-income housing; or
- To prevent spoliation and avoid damage or unsafe conditions, and address emergency repairs at both non-essential businesses and residential structures.
Violations of the Governor’s order can be reported to King County Public Health at 206-477-3977 or coronavirus@kingcounty.gov. Residents should not call 911 to report violations of the order as phone lines must be kept clear for emergencies. The Kirkland Police Department will not be detaining, arresting, ticketing or establishing checkpoints for compliance. No strict law enforcement or "martial law" has been ordered. When officers encounter people not complying with an order, officers will remind them, as appropriate, of the recommendation and restrictions.
The City has compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the order, which is available on the City’s website.
To assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Kirkland has also compiled information and resources that are immediately useful during this emergency and for the future, when attention turns to recovery. For more information, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/BusinessSupportCOVID. Additionally, to support restaurants and other businesses providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Kirkland has suspended enforcement of the temporary sign code.
The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak
For further clarification, please watch the message below from Police Chief Cherie Harris.
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The City of Kirkland has compiled several options for community members who want to help during COVID-19. The Kirkland community can reduce the impact of COVID-19 by:
More information can be found at the City’s website: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/HelpCOVID
Although the Peter Kirk Community Center is currently closed to help protect our most vulnerable population and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, there are resources available that seniors can access over the phone. These resources are aimed at Kirkland community members age 50 and above. Thank you and stay healthy!
Peter Kirk Community Center - 425-587-3360
The Peter Kirk Community Center is closed to the public. However, staff is onsite to help with resources for community members.
Meals on Wheels services are intact and operational, with meals delivered to homebound seniors in Kirkland.
Social Worker: Cindy Tang, MS, LSW - 425-286-1047
Phone consultation for those needing assistance from a social worker with concerns or problems such as isolation, depression, grief and loss. This service is provided through the Peter Kirk Community Center, the Northshore Senior Center and EvergreenHealth.
Nurse: Lydia Barnsley, LPN - 425-286-1029
Phone consultation for those needing assistance from a nurse with concerns or questions about isolation, depression, health and well-being. This service is provided through the Peter Kirk Community Center, the Northshore Senior Center and EvergreenHealth.
Community Resource Specialist: Gul Subaykan – 425-286-1072
Phone consultation for those needing assistance with VA benefits, DSHS assistance, public utilities, food assistance and financial assistance programs through the County, State and Federal governments. This service is provided through the Peter Kirk Community Center, the Northshore Senior Center and King County.
Transportation
Limited transportation may be available for medical appointments (Doctor appointments, prescription pickups, etc.) and food related trips (meals delivered to seniors at home or that need to go to the grocery store). Participants must be symptom free and this service is only available if drivers are available. At this time, we cannot guarantee this service. Please call 425-286-1026 to check availability. This service is provided through the Peter Kirk Community Center, the Northshore Senior Center and King County.
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As recognition for their dedicated and outstanding volunteer service with the City of Kirkland, two local teens are awarded this year’s Eileen Trentman Youth Scholarship: Gloria Wang and Max Reisman.
Each receives a $1,000 scholarship for use toward post-secondary education. This scholarship is awarded annually on behalf of the Kirkland Firefighters Benevolent Association (KFFBA) and in memoriam of Eileen Trentman, the City’s volunteer coordinator from 1999 to 2006. The scholarship funding is raised by City staff and the KFFBA; donations are received from staff during the annual Charitable Giving campaign and then matched by the KFFBA.
Max Reisman has been an active and integral member of the Kirkland Youth Council since 2014, involved with the Teen Traffic Court program, Youth Summit, as well as leadership roles producing KYC’s We’ve Got Issues project and co-chairing the Youth Council. He is also a member of the Human Services Commission, a student athlete, and a paid lifeguard for the City.
Gloria Wang served as an exemplary volunteer for Kirkland Television during 2018-19 working behind the scenes as a video editor, photographer, cinematographer and multimedia specialist and at live events interacting with the public as a documentary cinematographer. She also served as a writer on several of Kirkland Television programs.
Their inspirational stories serve as examples of how we in Kirkland support each other—We Got This Kirkland. Concurrently during this time of increased need and uncertainty, there is a strong outpouring of generosity from those wishing to help. Volunteer opportunities that support critical COVID-19 needs are emerging daily.
Both teens continue their volunteer service with the City through the end of their high school senior year. Congratulations, Gloria and Max, we thank you for your outstanding contributions.
Community actions may be helping to limit the spread of COVID-19. Public Health announced 218 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the official case count in King County to 1577. In addition, nine new deaths are reported, bringing the total of deaths in King County to 109.
The COVID-19 outbreak in King County is ongoing, with more than 200 new positive cases announced today, and typically 100 or more new cases each day. Many of our healthcare systems are feeling strained to care for the increased number of COVID-19 patients. In addition, most of our long term care facilities (including nursing homes), with especially vulnerable residents, have been impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks.
“It’s critically important that we continue to stay home and limit our contact with others,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health—Seattle & King County. “Some initial indications suggest that these types of community mitigations are having a positive impact on decreasing the spread of disease, even if we can’t measure it precisely yet.”
Most people who become ill with COVID-19 show their first symptoms more than a week after exposure, and it may be two weeks before someone becomes seriously ill. Our healthcare systems continue to take steps to prepare for an increasing number of hospitalized and critically ill patients.
For additional information about COVID-19 and the response in King County, be sure to check our webpage: www.kingcounty.gov/covid
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 3/25/20.
- 1577 confirmed positive cases (up 218 from yesterday)
- 109 confirmed deaths (up 6 from yesterday)
Important Note: With the launch of a new data dashboard (www.kingcounty.gov/covid/data), Public Health will no longer be listing individual deaths by age and gender in our News Release. Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19 is available on the dashboard. Be sure to click the button to filter by “positive results only” to see age and gender of deaths. A PDF is also available.
Isolation and quarantine facilities update
Isolation and quarantine is a proven public health practice for reducing the spread of disease. Examples of people who may need this assistance include people who cannot safely isolate from a family member who is elderly or medically fragile, or people experiencing homelessness. Individuals can only be placed into the King County sites after a health professional with Public Health—Seattle & King County has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.
Eleven people are currently staying in a King County isolation and quarantine facility.
The number of people in King County's isolation and quarantine sites will be included in regular updates provided by Public Health. 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. No other details about cases can be provided at this time.
Public Health will no longer be listing individual deaths by age and gender in our News Release. Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19 is available on the dashboard. Be sure to click the button to filter by “positive results only” to see age and gender of deaths. A PDF is also available.
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for more than two million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day. More at www.kingcounty.gov/health
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Metro has rolled out an online resource that shows all Metro bus routes along with all identified medical facilities. For more information on the current status of Metro service, please visit the Metro website.
Because physical distancing is critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19, the following events are cancelled:
StyroFest: Styrofoam + Electronics Recycling Event
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4
Kirkland Maintenance Center
For more information, visit the Kirkland Calendar.
The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce
All Chamber events through the month of April are cancelled
For more information, visit: https://kirklandchamber.org/
Kirkland Performance Center
All Kirkland Performance Center shows through April 30 are postponed
For more information, visit: http://www.kpcenter.org
The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland's 46th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12
Peter Kirk Park
For more information, visit: https://kirklandkiwanis.org.
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