March 10 Update on Kirkland’s Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
Published on March 10, 2020
Media Contact: Kellie Stickney, Communications Program Manager
kstickney@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 979-6562
KIRKLAND, Wash. – The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.
The City of Kirkland currently has twenty-nine firefighters and four police officers in quarantine. Eleven firefighters have now been released after completing their recommended quarantine period. Most first responders are in isolation or quarantine at home. Fire Station 21 continues to be kept offline and is available to firefighters for isolation, a second facility is being used for quarantine.
All of our first responders that are currently symptomatic are in the process of being tested. We’ve had eleven tests come back negative, and very recently we have had 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. The City was notified today that some of the test samples that had been collected earlier may no longer be viable due to the time that has lapsed since the samples were collected. Although it is possible that the City may still receive test results from the state lab, the City wanted to proactively ensure that our firefighters were supported. King County Emergency Medical Services worked with the City to begin collecting secondary tests within an hour of being notified of the possibility that original samples may not be viable. These test results are being expedited and we anticipate receiving results within 24-hours of the tests being completed.
“We appreciate the tremendous support that we have received from King County Emergency Medical Services and Dr. Rea, MD, MPH” said Chief Joe Sanford. “We hope that testing speeds improve and that we are able to have more first responders return to duty as soon as possible.”
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.
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.
Today Governor Inslee held a press conference where he highlighted additional requirements for visitations and staffing at nursing homes plus economic assistance to assist small businesses and workers affected by the virus outbreak. Governor Inslee outlined the new requirements and assistance in press releases issued today.
Following current direction from Seattle King County Public Health, and our ongoing needs to have the capacity to staff our emergency operations center we have concluded that the City will be cancelling all City evening meetings except for City Council meetings until the end of March. This includes Commissions, Boards, and all Neighborhood Association meetings. The City of Kirkland Passport Office will be closed from Monday, March 9th through Friday, March 20th.
The City of Kirkland has also cancelled most recreation programming and classes and closed community centers to the public through Tuesday, March 31.
More information and full list of recommendations are available from Seattle & King County Public Health: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020/March/4-covid-recommendations.aspx
The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.