Summary:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added to its list of symptoms for COVID-19. Also, as more farmers markets open for the spring, customers are encouraged to practice important safety measures.
Story:
As researchers continue to learn more about COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just added six new symptoms to its list of known COVID-19 symptoms.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. They may also have COVID-19 if they have at least two of these symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or a new loss of taste or smell.
Public Health—Seattle & King County encourages everyone to contact their healthcare provider if they experience these symptoms.
For healthcare providers, clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. Most patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing) and fever, but some people may present with other symptoms as well.
For more information about symptoms, testing and care, click here.
Farmers market season is back, but physical distancing is still required
Like grocery stores, farmers markets are among the many essential businesses that have remained open – with important safety guidelines in place. Public Health Insider has tips for how to keep you, your family, the vendors and other visitors healthy.
Temporary shelter locations
In a continuing effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus and prevent transmission through the homeless shelter population, King County has negotiated with two additional local hotels to serve as temporary shelter locations for people experiencing homelessness. King County is taking this step to reduce the density of people sleeping in shelters. These are not isolation and quarantine sites.
- Catholic Community Services is moving approximately 40 people from the King County Airport shelter to the Inn at Queen Anne.
- The Salvation Army is moving about 60 people from the King County Administration Building and the King County Fourth and Jefferson Building Shelter to the Civic Hotel.
Both agencies will be onsite 24/7 and will provide case management services and meals. King County will provide security at both locations. Neither hotel will be open to other guests during this time. Moves to the hotels will be completed today.
The Jefferson Day Center, located in the Fourth and Jefferson Building, will remain open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to offer hot coffee, snacks, bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities.
Case updates
Daily totals for new COVID-19 cases and deaths are available on Public Health’s Data Dashboard webpage, which updates as soon as data are available, typically between 1-3 p.m.
Isolation and quarantine facilities update
Isolation and quarantine is a proven public health practice for reducing the spread of disease. Examples of people who may need this assistance include people who cannot safely isolate from a family member who is elderly or medically fragile, or people experiencing homelessness. Individuals can only be placed into the King County sites after a health professional with Public Health has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.
Sixty people are currently staying in King County isolation, quarantine and recovery facilities. The number of residents at King County’s isolation and quarantine sites is included in regular updates provided by Public Health. No other identifying or personal information will be provided.