EVERETT, Wash — Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett will be used as a coronavirus isolation and quarantine site.
The temporary site will be for people who may not be able to recover in their own homes, as well as the county's homeless. It will be the first isolation and quarantine facility created by Snohomish County.
The facility will open Wednesday.
Dr. Gary Goldbaum, former Health Officer for Snohomish County and one of the medical officers who will oversee medical operations of the facility, said the facility will be capable of housing up to 100 people without shelter when it opens. Dr. Goldbaum said the facility could be expanded to accommodate more patients.
“All of the people that will be admitted to the facility will be people who have either been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus, and therefore that individual needs to be in quarantine for up to 14 days,” said Dr. Goldbaum. “It will also include persons who are isolated because they have symptoms of COVID-19 illness, or have tested positive for COVID-19.”
The arena has been closed since March 14 and many events were rescheduled or canceled.
Officials have established two separate sites in the arena so health care workers can accommodate both quarantined and isolated patients while keeping them separated.
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"Isolating those who are considered infectious and quarantining those who have been exposed and may become infectious will reduce transmission, which is essential to avoid overwhelming our medical system and ultimately limiting care for everyone," said Dr. Goldbaum.
As a quarantine and isolation site, Snohomish County said it will be a secure facility and residents there will be directed to stay until released under orders issued by the Snohomish Health District.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office will oversee security at the facility 24/7. Six commissioned law enforcement officers will monitor the building's perimeter coupled with a possible four-to-seven additional security guards daily.
"We must come together as a community to ensure we are controlling the spread of COVID-19," said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. "Similar facilities may be necessary across the county and we appreciate the City of Everett's willingness to do their part to help control the spread of this pandemic."