March 7 King County Public Health COVID-19 Update
Published on March 07, 2020
Summary:
Public Health – Seattle & King County urges King County residents to follow guidance to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our community. Commercial testing is also becoming more available from healthcare providers. Public Health is reporting 13 new cases today. The official case count is 71.
Story:
About testing for COVID-19
There are currently no restrictions on who can be tested for COVID-19 and commercial testing is becoming more available. Healthcare providers may test any patient in whom they suspect COVID-19. While testing is becoming more available, there are limitations in health care providers’ capacity to obtain samples and process lab results rapidly.
While there are no restrictions who can get tested, not everybody who feels ill needs to be tested, particularly if you have mild illness. If you are sick with fever, cough or shortness of breath and are in a high risk group, call your healthcare provider to discuss whether you should be tested for COVID-19.
People at high risk for complications from COVID-19 are:
• People older than 60 years
• People with chronic medical conditions
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant people
Where can I get tested?
Public Health – Seattle & King County does not typically conduct testing. Testing is typically conducted by taking a swab at a health care provider's office. Call ahead before visiting your healthcare provider. More information is available at Public Health’s COVID-19 Common questions about coronavirus website.
Case updates
Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 have been reported to Public Health – Seattle & King County through 11:59 p.m. on 3/6/20, bringing the total number of reported King County cases to 71.
Of the 13 new cases reported today, two are deaths. In addition, two cases previously reported last week are people who have now died. The total number of deaths reported to Public Health is now 15. The four deaths being reported today include:
• A man in his 70s, a Life Care Center resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, and who died on 3/2/20. This case is included in the 13 new cases being reported today
• A woman in her 80s, a Life Care Center resident, was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center, and who died 3/5/20. This case is included in the 13 new cases being reported today
• A woman in her 70s, a Life Care Center resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, and who died on 3/6/20. This case was previously reported on 3/5/20.
• A woman in her 80s, a Life Care Center resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth, and who died on 3/6/20. This case was previously reported on 3/2/20.
Of the 15 deaths reported, 14 are associated with Life Care Center.
Important recommendations:
When and how to stay away from others:
Recommendations on what to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or are worried that you may have COVID-19
The public can help limit or slow the spread of COVID-19:
1) 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.
2) Stay home when sick.
3) Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including hand washing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
4) 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.
4) 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 washing 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.
Note to media:
We know that there is significant interest on current case counts and numbers of deaths. As more testing has become available, we are getting increased numbers of reports from laboratories and other facilities. It takes time to reconcile data in order to report numbers accurately.
In addition, we report case numbers, including numbers of deaths, each day that are official through 11:59 p.m. the night before. Many media are hearing directly from healthcare facilities that provide different numbers of deaths than Public Health’s official count, and may be providing it before Public Health has the information and has reconciled the data.
Because there are increased numbers of cases and more data flowing into Public Health that needs to be analyzed and reconciled, we are no longer able to provide specific information about all cases as we did earlier in this outbreak. We will continue to provide details on deaths, when available, for the time being. In addition, some details about previously reported cases may be updated as data quality improves.
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