Official insights from Public Health – Seattle & King County staff
With the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order now in effect through May 4, connecting with faith-based and cultural communities continues to be a vital source of support. Earlier this month, Public Health had the opportunity to stand in solidarity with faith and spiritual leaders who are building unity and connection in times of physical distancing.
Read More
For the health of our community, it’s critical that 1,000 people donate blood every day. Potential blood donors are exempt from Governor Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy stay-at-home order, which does not include essential health services, such as those provided by Bloodworks Northwest and its donors. Learn more about how to give blood!
Read More
Updated at 7:30pm on 4-3-2020 Staying apart from others is our best protection against COVID-19. The most important ways of preventing COVID-19 are frequent handwashing, avoiding touching your face, staying away from ill people, staying home and avoiding all non-essential activities and contact with others. Mask use does not replace the need to follow these […]
Read More
Reductions in person-to-person contact through a variety of social distancing measures appear to be making a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in King County, but those measures need to continue to succeed in decreasing and delaying the outbreak peak, according to two new reports by the Bellevue-based Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM). Working […]
Read More
Many of us have read and seen the stories of Asian Americans being harassed and berated on the streets, in parks, and on public transit. Unfortunately, our Asian- American community is now a major target in the reawakening of anti-Chinese rhetoric, affecting the elderly and the young. In this post, we offer some resources and practical tips on how to stop racism fueled by COVID-19 fear.
Read More
Under the current Health Order, restaurants may remain open for drive-through, delivery, and pick-up. Our Food Program also has a role to play in working with food service establishments so that they comply with the health order.
Read More
Washington state reported its first case of COVID-19 on January 21st. Since then, government officials and public health experts have been asking: How many more cases are there? And where will the virus show up next? These are important questions. Understanding how common COVID-19 is and how it is spreading are critical to informing our […]
Read More
When my son was just a month old — still pocket-sized and brand new to the world — I faced the decision that so many new parents dread: who would take care of him when I went back to work? I wasn’t ready to hand him over to anyone else, and wondered if I’d ever […]
Read More
Here is a great resource list for the deaf and hard of hearing community to help you stay safe during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Read More
By Erin Murphy and Megan McJennett COVID-19 is causing stress for a lot of people and that stress can manifest very differently. So parents, this blog post is for you. Because parenting during COVID-19 is HARD. Parents already worry about their kids and COVID-19 only increases those worries. Thoughts may crowd your mind like, “what […]
Read More
The Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County has issued an order intended to curtail the amount of face-to-interaction in the community that can potentially spread the virus. We explain what is now prohibited and what is still allowed (if steps to minimize the risk are taken.)
Read More
By Emma McVeigh, Alanna Beebe, and Ellen Flamiatos With the closure of schools, child care is even more important to parents and to our communities than ever. Child care plays an essential role for parents who don’t have work flexibility, including those who work in healthcare, critical infrastructure, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other services we […]
Read More
How do we get on with living when life is so altered? Our best answer is that we’ll get through this outbreak by building community and making sacrifices out of love. What does that look like? It means preserving the healthcare system for those who need it most, social distancing but not social isolation, and supporting one another.
Read More
We know that new measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community are particularly stressful for parents, and for anyone who cares for kids. As we continue to work together to protect our friends and neighbors and slow the spread, we face new challenges, including showing up for our kids in a scary, […]
Read More
As COVID-19 continues to spread in King County, Public Health is asking everyone in our community to take steps to slow the spread of the virus. These actions are meant reduce the number of people who become ill, and protect our families, friends and neighbors who are at risk for severe illness. On March 12, […]
Read MoreUnder an order issued by King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health—Seattle & King County prohibits large gatherings of more than 250 people. In addition, this local order is prohibiting public events of less than 250 people, unless measures are taken by event organizers to minimize risk. For retail businesses — such as […]
Read More
Update 3-11-20 2:30pm: See also the official News Release “New state and local Orders” Update 3-11-20 5:10 pm: Links added for schools guidance, business guidance, and large gathering enforcement In addition to Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation that prohibits large gatherings of more than 250 people, Public Health—Seattle & King County is also issuing a Health […]
Read More
In light of the coronavirus outbreak in King County and our current community recommendations, Best Starts for Kids shares resources and ideas to help fight social isolation in the midst of social distancing.
Read More
Now is the time to plan for how to decrease the risk for coronavirus for those who are at higher risk for severe illness from coronavirus, including people over 60 and those who have underlying health conditions. We have recommendations and guidance.
Read More
King County has its first cases of novel coronavirus, including one death. More cases have been identified in the U.S. Although the risk is increasing, there are ways to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus and decrease your risk of getting sick.
Read More
Summary: Public Health – Seattle & King County continues to focus on preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate settings, including jails. The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention has taken steps to create greater social distancing in their facilities. Public Health reported 111 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the official case count in King County […]
Read More
Summary: Emphasizing the need for residents to stay home, Public Health—Seattle & King County reported 131 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the official case count in King County to 2787. In addition, 11 new deaths are reported, bringing the total of COVID-19 deaths in King County to 186. Story: As COVID-19 continues to spread […]
Read More
Summary: King County continues to reduce shelter concentrations by moving nearly 400 people to hotels. Public Health – Seattle & King County reported 175 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the official case count in King County to 2656. In addition, 11 new deaths are reported, bringing the total of deaths in King County to […]
Read More