4 Coronavirus Deaths Confirmed In Kirkland As Epicenter Emerges

KIRKLAND, WA — Four patients at a Kirkland senior housing facility have died after being infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the state's total death count to six, King County officials said Monday. The county declared a state of emergency as its number of confirmed cases grew to 14, eight of whom have been linked to LifeCare Center in Kirkland.

According to King County Public Health, two more patients have died, both residents at LifeCare. Four more cases have been confirmed in the county since Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 18 in Washington state. Health officials said the latest deaths included a patient whose illness was previously announced.

EvergreenHealth said all six patients who have died in Washington were treated at the Kirkland hospital. Five of the patients were King County residents and one patient was from Snohomish County.

The swell of cases in Kirkland has led some outlets to label it the epicenter of the West Coast's growing coronavirus outbreak. Also in Kirkland, 27 firefighters and two police officers have been placed in quarantine, and other firefighters are showing flu-like symptoms, the city said in a news release.

“We advise community members to stay informed on the most recent updates from our public health agencies and the CDC,” Fire Chief Joseph Sanford said in a statement. “Please note that we are not accepting donations from the public of any kind at this time. The best way for the community to help is to implement advice from public health and get yourself and your family prepared.”

County declares emergency

Meanwhile, according to the state Department of Health, Snohomish County has confirmed four COVID-19 cases, including the initial diagnosis of the first known case in the U.S. in January. He has since been deemed "fully recovered."

During a press briefing Monday morning, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced an emergency declaration, which allows the county to take "extraordinary measures" to help mitigate the virus's spread, including waiving some bureaucratic barriers, and authorizing overtime pay for many county employees.

Constantine said the county was wrapping up a deal to buy a motel in the area where a large number of patients can be treated and monitored in isolation. Constantine said the county would also deploy modular units to house patients as needs require.

"We have moved to a new stage in the fight to contain and mitigate this outbreak," Constantine said. "We will direct all available resources to help cities, health-care facilities, businesses, and families continue life as normally as possible."

Dr. Kathy Lofy, the State Health Officer, said no cases have been confirmed in other counties but acknowledged it was possible the virus was spreading elsewhere.

Lofy said Department of Health employees were testing 200 specimens per day at a public health lab in Shoreline, allowing them to get updated results by the hour.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dozens of infections have been confirmed in 10 states, with more than two dozen cases linked to "person-to-person spread."

Four new cases in King County:

• A man in his 50s, hospitalized at Highline Hospital with no known exposures. He is in stable but critical condition. He had no underlying health conditions.
• A man in his 70s, a resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man had underlying health conditions and died March 1.
• A woman in her 70s, a resident of LifeCare, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The woman had underlying health conditions and died March 1.
• A woman in her 80s, a resident of LifeCare, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She is in critical condition.

10 earlier cases, already reported by King County Public Health:

• A woman in her 80s, who was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, died on March 1.
• A woman in her 90s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth with underlying health conditions, and is listed in critical condition.
• A man in his 70s, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The man has underlying health conditions, and is listed in critical condition
• A man in his 70s was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. He had underlying health conditions and died on Feb. 29.
• A man in his 60s, hospitalized at Valley Medical Center in Renton.
• A man in 60s, hospitalized at Virginia Mason Medical Center.
• A woman in her 50s, who had traveled to South Korea; she is recovering at home
• A woman in her 70s, who was a resident of LifeCare in Kirkland, hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.
• A woman in her 40s, employed by LifeCare, who is hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center.
• A man in his 50s, who was hospitalized and died at EvergreenHealth.

Public Health guidance on virus prevention:

• Do not go to an emergency room unless absolutely essential. Those with symptoms including a cough, fever, or other respiratory issues are advised to contact their regular doctor first.
• If you're sick, stay home.
• Commit to excellent personal hygiene, including regular handwashing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in Washington and across the United States:

• Public Health Seattle-King County
• Snohomish County Health District
• Washington State Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Patch staffer Lucas Combos contributed to this report.