Amid Coronavirus, King County Recommends Curbing Group Activities

SEATTLE, WA — State and county health officials are urging King County residents to consider working from home when possible and avoid large gatherings of people, particularly if they have underlying health issues.

Latest: 70 Coronavirus Cases In Washington, Snohomish Declares Emergency

County leaders shared updated "social distancing" recommendations during a Wednesday press briefing in Seattle, as the numbers of illnesses and deaths linked to the new coronavirus continue to grow.

"We are coping with the most serious outbreak of COVID-19 anywhere in the nation," said Dow Constantine, King County Executive. "Our actions are forming the model that will be followed in other parts of the country. We will get through this."

According to the Department of Health, 39 infections and 10 deaths associated with COVID-19 had been confirmed in King and Snohomish counties by Wednesday morning.

Seattle and King County Public Health said the new recommendations are not requirements, but all residents are urged to take proactive steps to minimize exposure.

"We understand these actions will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people in our community," the county said in a news release. "We are making these recommendations in consultation with CDC based on the best information we have currently to protect the public's health."

TELECOMMUTING

King County leaders are calling on all workplaces to allow employees to work from home as much as possible. For those who must physically report to work, health officials encourage staggering start and end times to decrease the frequency of large groups forming.

Constantine said the county has tentatively canceled all group meetings through March, with plans to re-evaluate every week. County employees are being directed to work from home as much as possible, and Constantine said his office was working to minimize risks to those who must report to work, like metro bus drivers.

LARGE PUBLIC GATHERINGS

All King County residents are asked to consider avoiding large group gatherings — classified as those with more than 10 people — as much as possible, especially for people considered to be at a higher risk for developing complications from an illness:

• People 60 and older
• Those with underlying health conditions — including heart disease, lung disease and diabetes — or with weakened immune systems
• People who are pregnant

The county said it was in contact with local community groups and had asked them to reconsider or postpone upcoming gatherings.

The organizers of Emerald City Comic Con, an upcoming convention in downtown Seattle, said they intend to hold the event as planned, but announced Wednesday they would offer refunds to anyone rethinking their attendance, in light of recent developments. Last year, organizers said the event drew close to 100,000 participants.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Public health officials are not recommending school closures, except in cases where there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school. Patty Hayes, the public health director, said children are not known to be a high-risk group for the virus, apart from those with a compromised immune system, and the county does not want to interfere with learning unless there's a heightened reason for concern.

In Renton, Hazen High School will remain closed through the week after a student tested positive for the coronavirus.

"We're in dynamic conversations with schools on a daily basis," Hayes said.

According to Hayes, each district can choose to close schools under their own authority, if they determine it's in the best interest of their community.

"We respect every school's individual decision," Hayes said.

Symptoms of the new coronavirus are similar to flu or colds and may include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• A general feeling of being unwell

According to the Department of Health, people should take these steps to reduce their risk of getting and spreading any viral respiratory infections:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.

King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center:

• If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you’re a health care provider with questions about the virus, contact the King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 206-477-3977.
• The call center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT.
• For general concerns and questions about COVID-19, call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.

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