Health officials: Dozens at Kirkland nursing facility reporting symptoms that might suggest coronavirus

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Dozens of residents and staff at LifeCare Center of Kirkland, a nursing and rehab facility, are reporting symptoms that might suggest coronavirus, according to a statement from King County Public Health.

Four coronavirus-related deaths have been linked to the nursing facility. 50 people at the facility are being tested for the virus.

Found these signs at Life Care Center of Kirkland “No Visitors: We Are Having Respiratory Outbreak.”
@NatashaChenCNN confirms- there are about 27/108 residents and 25/180 staff who have reported symptoms that might suggest coronavirus. @KIRO7Seattle @CNN pic.twitter.com/mch7z40er3

— Alison Grande (@AlisonKIRO7) February 29, 2020

• The second coronavirus death in Washington and across the U.S., a man in his 70s, died at EvergreenHealth on March 1. He had underlying health conditions and had been a resident at LifeCare, King County Public Health said.
• A woman in her 70s, a resident of LifeCare, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. The woman had underlying health conditions and died March 1.
• A woman in her 80s, a resident of LifeCare, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth. She also had underlying health conditions and died March 1.
• Additionally, a woman in her 80s who was in critical condition at EvergreenHealth, died March 1 from coronavirus.

Another case is a woman in her 40s who works as a health care worker at Life Care. She is currently in satisfactory condition at Overlake Hospital and does not have a history of known travel outside the United States, officials said.

A woman in her 70s, is a resident at Life Care and is in serious condition at EvergreenHealth Hospital.

Ellie Basham, the executive director at Life Care Center of Kirkland, provided KIRO 7 with this statement Saturday, before King County Public Health had released new information Sunday:

"Residents are our highest priority at Life Care Center of Kirkland. Their safety and well-being are our primary concerns.

Recently, one of our associates and one of our residents were diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) while receiving care in local hospitals. Current residents and associates are being monitored closely, and any with symptoms or who were potentially exposed are quarantined. As precaution, all visits to the facility from families, volunteers or vendors are not allowed.

Concerned family members or responsible parties may call our facility number at (425) 823-2323 with any questions. The facility is currently placing a hold on admissions as well to fully focus on our current residents and associates.

We take the event very seriously and have members of our corporate clinical team en route to provide extra assistance. We are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control as well as the Washington Health Department. We are following their guidance exclusively and will continue to take all precautions necessary for our residents, staff and the community at large."

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Health officials: Dozens at Kirkland nursing facility reporting symptoms that might suggest coronavirus