March 18 Update on City Operations and Kirkland First Responders
Published on March 18, 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.
Update on First Responders
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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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.
Updates on City Operations
All City facilities are currently closed to the public. Many City services are available online at: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Residents/City_online_services.htm. 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.
Waste Management Updates
Effective March 18, Waste Management is temporarily closing residential call centers to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This temporary closure is in response to the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health districts and state mandates to implement stringent social distancing practices to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. To help maintain continuity of operations, Waste Management is currently working to facilitate remote work capabilities for its call center staff, with the goal of resuming residential call handling as soon as possible. At this time there is no impact to scheduled residential collection service. This temporary closure of the call center impacts residential customers only. Commercial customer service is not impacted. For updates and additional information, please visit: http://servicealerts.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland/.
Recreation Registration and 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 has closed 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 is encouraged to call the customer service center at 425-587-3300. Alternate payment methods such as cash, check or scholarship can be arranged.
Spring and summer recreation program registration begins March 19. Registration will proceed as scheduled, opening at 6 a.m. on March 19 at www.kirklandparks.net. 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.
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 https://kirklandwa.qscend.com/ourkirkland/.
Court Operations
In order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Court lobby services are closed to walk-in visitors, but available by phone at 425-587-3160, until further notice. This is a proactive measure to ensure the health, well-being, and safety of our community members and employees.
Members of staff are available by phone, 425-587-3160 or email, court@kirklandwa.gov to assist customers and answer questions. To make payments, you may mail, use our drop box located near the front entrance, or post payments online.
Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Court will reschedule all March hearings except for mandatory DV/DUI charges (which must be heard the next judicial day) and in-custody defendants. The Court will tentatively resume normal operations on April 1, 2020.
Police Operations
The Kirkland Police Department lobby in the Kirkland Justice Center is now closed to the public. For questions or services, the public may utilize the phone located outside the lobby to speak with staff. Police public records requests can be made by logging on to our website at www.kirklandwa.gov/pdr. Pet licensing can still be completed through Pet Data at www.petdata.com.
The City Council has directed that for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, the City of Kirkland will suspend parking enforcement of time limitations for parking downtown and will not charge fees for parking in any of the City-owned downtown parking lots. Parking in fire lanes and handicapped spaces (without a valid permit) remains prohibited and will be enforced.
Guidance from the State and Federal Governments
Yesterday, 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. For more information on newly announced assistance for workers, renters and businesses visit: https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-relief-for-businesses-workers-renters-and-more-in-response-to-covid-19-outbreak-c09c13a02690.
Public Health-Seattle & King County Updates
Public Health reminds people to access the informational resources on Public Health Insider. Public Health is reporting 44 new cases today, bringing the official case count in King County to 562. In addition, 10 new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths in King County to 56. Public Health has been publishing blogs on the Public Health Insider with a wealth of content about COVID-19. Here are a few recent highlights:
• Events, Eating Out and Retail: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
• Community is Our Anchor During COVID-19
• Showing Up for Our Kids During the Outbreak
• How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Childcare Settings
COVID-19 is spreading in King County. Public Health expects the case count to double every 5 to 7 days unless orders to stay away from others are followed diligently. Already, Public Health expects that anyone we come into contact with may be infected because there is wide-spread infection in our community. 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.
Follow the guidance for anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 and their contacts on how to prevent the spread to others.
Update from Lake Washington School District
Based on Governor Inslee’s announcement on March 12, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will now be closed through April 24 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.