Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We have been informed by Public Health – Seattle & King County that there are multiple cases of coronavirus in King County, including multiple people who are hospitalized. Sadly, one individual has also died.

These illnesses are associated with an immunocompromised population in a nursing home and a dialysis facility in Kirkland. Public health officials are working closely with their leadership, staff, and families to contain and manage the situation at these facilities.

Health officials are also working as rapidly as possible to identify others in the community who have been exposed, isolate them and get them tested.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is fully activated. They are in close contact with CDC, State DOH, hospitals, the Emergency Medical Services system. The CDC is sending a high-level team to King County to help with the response.

King County government is coordinating together with Public Health to share information, deploy resources, and respond at maximum capacity.

We are fortunate in Washington to have expert public health officials who have experience in responding to pandemics, including coronavirus. We can all help by staying informed and following health guidance carefully.

If someone has symptoms, they should call their doctor – not go to the hospital. The doctor will make an assessment about next steps. If it requires a COVID-19 test, the doctor will then contact King County Public Health and they will arrange a test.

This is a very quickly moving situation and information is changing. You can keep informed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website and Facebook page:

https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/KCPubHealth/

Good personal health habits help prevent respiratory infections, including coronaviruses and influenza. These are simple yet effective actions, like staying home when you are sick, covering your coughs and sneezes with an elbow, sleeve or tissue, and frequently washing your hands with soap and water (or using at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available). See more here: https://publichealthinsider.com/2020/02/24/what-happens-if-the-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-spreads-here-a-conversation-with-our-health-officer/.

For more information:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Sincerely,

Sen. Manka Dhingra
45th Legislative District		 Rep. Roger Goodman
45th Legislative District		 Sen. Patty Kuderer
48th Legislative District
Rep. Vandana Slatter
48th Legislative District		 Rep. Larry Springer
45th Legislative District		 Rep. Amy Walen
48th Legislative District