Category: Public Health
When should you get tested for COVID-19? How do you get tested?
Seattle & King County public health officials recommend that anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or close contact with someone who has COVID-19 be tested right away.
Washington state launches contact tracing initiative
Contact tracers will reach out to people who may have been exposed the virus.
King County urges people to wear masks in indoor public settings, outdoors where social distancing is difficult
The directive, effective on May 18, strongly urges all individuals at indoor or confined outdoor public settings to use face coverings over their nose and mouth.
COVID-19 transmission rate may be increasing in King County, Western Washington
After dropping in March and into the first part of April, the transmission rate of COVID-19 is no longer falling and may be rising again in Western Washington,
Reopening In The COVID Era: How To Adapt To A New Normal
Should you go to the beach? What about the hair salon? A sit-down restaurant meal? Visit Mom on Mother’s Day?
Tips for staying safe outdoors as more recreation lands reopen
More public lands are reopening for limited use following closures to slow the spread of COVID-19. King County is offering guidelines for safely enjoying parks, trails, and natural areas.
Health Officials Wanted to Close a Meatpacking Plant, but the Governor Said No
Health officials in Grand Island, Nebraska, wanted the JBS meatpacking plant closed. But Gov. Pete Ricketts said no. Since then, cases have skyrocketed.
Washington’s plan for a phased reopening of the economy
Phase 1 begins today, May 5, with the reopening of some recreational activities, including day use at state parks, playing golf, fishing, and hunting.
County Leaders to Governors: Let Us Make Our Own Calls on Reopening
Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee says 10 small counties with low rates of infection can apply for exemptions to the state’s stay-at-home orders, allowing them to move ahead to the next step of a phased reopening plan.
Number of hepatitis A cases in King County continues to grow
While not as bad as has been seen in other large cities, King County’s hepatitis A continues to spread locally, and the rate of infections has increased.
Always The Bridesmaid, Public Health Rarely Spotlighted Until It’s Too Late
Because the public health system mostly operates in the background, it rarely gets the attention or funding it deserves ― until there’s a crisis.
Latest reports show COVID-19 declining; infections found across King County, most still susceptible
The number of COVID-19 infections in the county has been on the decline since the end of March.
Pronounced racial inequities among COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in King County
The updated data shows that in King County, COVID-19 is disproportionally impacting communities of color.
Be on the lookout for a wider range of COVID-19 symptoms, health officials say
In addition to cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, COVID-19 can cause fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.
Reopening Means Contact Tracing. Many States Aren’t Ready.
Washington plans to recruit and train 1,900 contact tracers by mid-May to map and control the spread of the virus as the state begins to reopen the economy.