Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state from March 23-25, 2020.
March 25:
11 p.m.
U.S. deaths due to the coronavirus has topped 1,000, with New York City being the hotspot for most cases and deaths.
A makeshift morgue was set up outside a New York City hospital, and the city's police were told to patrol nearly empty streets to enforce social distancing. New York State alone accounted for more than 30,000 cases and close to 300 deaths, most of them in New York City.
9:00 p.m.
The Senate passed an unparalleled $2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The vote was 96-0. The bill now heads to the House, which is not likely to vote until Friday at the earliest.
It includes one-time direct payments to Americans of $1,200 per adult making up to $75,000 a year, and $2,400 to a married couple making up to $150,000.
6:36 p.m.
The Washington Department of Health reported 132 coronavirus deaths as of Wednesday evening among 2,580 total cases statewide. That's up nine deaths from the day before. There have also been at least 31,712 (or 93%) people who have tested negative for the virus as of Monday, which was the last day that the state updated that figure.
5:45 p.m.
The King County Department of Health announced a new number of coronavirus cases on Wednesday. These numbers apply to King County only:
- 1359 confirmed positive cases (up 82 from yesterday)
- 100 confirmed deaths (up 6 from yesterday)
5:25 p.m.
Alaska Airlines cuts 70% of flights for April and May because of drop in demand due to coronavirus pandemic
Alaska Airlines today announced plans to reduce its flight schedule through May due to the drop in travel domestically and worldwide caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Seattle-based airline posted on its blog that it normally has 1,300 daily flights. The cut will mean 900 fewer flights a day.
5 p.m.
State launches site to clarify ‘essential’ businesses under stay-home order
Washington state launched an online form so businesses can get clarification on what qualifies as essential under Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation. The order goes into effect at the end of the day on Wednesday, forcing “non-essential” businesses to shut down for two weeks.
3:50 p.m.
Senate leaders raced to unravel last-minute snags Wednesday and win passage of an unparalleled $2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The measure is the largest economic relief bill in history, and both parties' leaders were desperate for quick passage of a bill aimed at a virus that is costing lives and jobs by the hour.
But the drive by leaders to speed the bill through the Senate was slowed as four conservative Republican senators demanded changes, saying the legislation as written “incentivizes layoffs" and should be altered to ensure employees don't earn more money if they're laid off than if they're working.
3:30 p.m.
King County is closing its parks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. The gates for the parking lots and trailheads will be locked and restrooms will be closed.
However, the officials also said the county lacks enforcement resources, and will rely on the public to abide by the closures and public health guidelines to keep physical distance from other people. County officials also reminded the public to obey local parking laws near the parks and to not block the gates.
The county had closed picnic areas, ballfields and play areas last week.
Noon
Thurston County announced it has moved to an "essential services model" following Gov. Inslee's stay-at-home order.
The term ‘essential services’ refers to Thurston County work and staff that are essential for public health and safety, as outlined in the Governor’s Order. Including:
- Office of the Board of County Commissioners
- Public Health
- Dispatch, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Courts and Justice systems
- Emergency Management
- Coroner’s Office
- Certain Public Works functions
- Building and Land Use Permitting
- Information Technology
- Payroll and Financial Support
- Central Services to Support Essential Services
- Other Offices as identified in their Non-Essential Plans
11 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is reducing the service of Amtrak Cascades trains due to the coronavirus and “severe drops in ridership.” The only Cascades trains that will continue to operate in Washington state are two daily roundtrips between Seattle and Portland.
The Seattle-Portland trains that will continue to operate include trains 500, 501, 504, and 505.
The WSDOT said the trains carried, on average, between 2,300 and 3,600 people each day. Recent ridership logs recorded less than 300 people per day, which is more than an 85% reduction in passengers.
The Coast Starlight, the Amtrak long-distance train, will continue to connect Seattle, Portland, Eugene, and other cities in between through one daily roundtrip.
9:15 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is closing all public lands that it manages through at least April 8.
Commissioner of Public Lands HiIlary Franz issued the following statement:
"This was not an easy decision. We treasure our forests and trails and beaches as places of rejuvenation and refuge from the chaos of daily life. But, I cannot ignore the unfortunate reality of what we saw this weekend: crowded trails, people shoulder to shoulder, and large gatherings. This behavior undercuts the sacrifices that Washingtonians of all means and ability are making in order to adhere to social distancing. And it undercuts the heroic efforts of our doctors, nurses, and first responders who risk their lives each day responding to this unrelenting epidemic.
“This behavior also makes clear that, while we have taken drastic measures, we have not done enough when it comes to closing areas where large crowds gather and communicating the importance of staying at home and avoiding physical contact with others.
“The disruptions we are experiencing are difficult and challenging – and unprecedented in our lifetimes. But they are necessary. We must bend the curve. And if we all do our part, these temporary disruptions will save countless lives.”
9:10 a.m.
Medical staffers based at Colorado's Fort Carson are being deployed to Washington State to back up doctors and nurses treating coronavirus patients in one of the nation's hardest hit areas.
The Army post near Colorado Springs said more than 300 members of the 627th Hospital Center will head to Washington to provide supplemental routine and emergency medical care. It says that will help free up Washington providers to focus on detecting and treating patients believed to have been exposed to COVID-19.
The Gazette of Colorado Springs reports the unit is capable of establishing a 148-bed full-service hospital even in the most austere conditions in tents or repurposed civilian buildings.
9 a.m.
Community Transit announced five more of its employees have tested positive for coronavirus.
They last worked between March 5-17.
An additional eight employees notified the transit agency that they have tests that are pending and are self-quarantining. None of those people have worked since March 17.
"Public health officials have advised the agency that given the high number of cases in our region, it is challenging to know whether or not infections occurred in the community or on the job," a statement from Community Transit reads.
8 a.m.
All of Washington's state-run parks, wildlife areas, and water access areas are closed for at least two weeks.
Camping and other overnight accommodations on state-managed recreation land is closed through April 30.
7:15 a.m.
A group of inmates in Washington prisons are asking the state Supreme Court to order the release of prisoners at high risk from the coronavirus.
Columbia Legal Services, a nonprofit that advocates for social and economic justice, filed a petition on behalf of the inmates with the high court Tuesday.
The petition warns that virus outbreaks in the prisons would be devastating and says all inmates over 50, those with underlying medical conditions, and those who are due to be released within 18 months should be freed now to reduce the risk of an outbreak.
Gov. Jay Inslee's office said he is aware of the issue and takes it seriously.
7 a.m.
With Gov. Jay Inslee's "stay-at-home" order going into effect, only "essential businesses" will remain open.
What is an essential business?
The state classifies grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors offices, to-go restaurants, gas stations, childcare, marijuana dispensaries and many more to be "essential."
6:30 a.m.
The Starbucks Foundation is donating a total of $500,000 to Operation Gratitude and Direct Relief.
Starbucks announced it is giving free coffee away to first responders and frontline workers supporting the healthcare system until May 3.
5:15 a.m.
Crater Lake National Park, Mount Rainier, and several other national park sites across the Pacific Northwest have temporarily closed to the public because of the coronavirus outbreak. Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, and Olympic national parks announced their closures Tuesday.
Park officials said rangers will remain at the parks to enforce the closure and protect the parks. Other park closures in Oregon include the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and John Day Fossil Beds. In Washington, North Cascades National Park shut campgrounds and facilities, as well as some trailheads and access roads.
Washington state officials also temporarily closed all state-managed parks, wildlife areas, and water access areas for at least two weeks.
4:45 a.m.
Alaska has recorded its first death from the coronavirus, state officials said. Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer, said the older person in a high risk group contracted the virus and died in Washington state.
Zink said the death counts under the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for Alaska since the person was an Alaska resident. The death did not appear in Washington state totals. No other details about the person was made available.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy also said there were six additional positive cases in Alaska reported Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 42.
4:15 a.m.
Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said Wednesday.
The 71-year-old is showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland, his Clarence House office said. It said his wife Camilla, 72, has tested negative.
“The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus,’’ Clarence House said. “He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.’’
The tests were carried out by the National Health Service in Scotland.
March 24:
10:45 p.m.
The White House and Senate leaders of both parties have struck an agreement on a sweeping $2 trillion measure to aid workers, businesses and a health care system strained by the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak.
Top White House aide Eric Ueland announced the agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight.
The unprecedented economic rescue package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home.
9:30 p.m.
Officials with the Washington State Department of Health say they're working to acquire more resources to increase hospital capacity in the coming weeks to help fight the coronavirus.
The department expects to get two 150-bed hospitals and six 40-bed hospitals from the Department of Defense, according to state health officials Tuesday. They did not say where the hospitals would go, but it's anticipated the facilities will be set up in Pierce, Snohomish, and King counties.
The facilities are equipped with supplies and arrive with personnel to staff them and will provide care for non-COVID-19 patients as well.
In addition, the state has also purchased 1,000 beds that are ready to be placed in hospital systems, including 250 beds in Yakima.
6:20 p.m.
The Washington Department of Health reported 123 coronavirus deaths as of Tuesday evening among 2,469 total cases statewide. That's up 13 deaths from the day before. There have also been 31,712 (or 93%) people who have tested negative for the virus.
4:47 p.m.
The Washington Department of Licensing is urging anyone who needs to renew their driver's license or identification card to do it online. Driver licensing offices are now operating on an appointment-only basis due to coronavirus concerns. The appointments are also being prioritized for people involved in commerce, service delivery, and healthcare, according to the DOL. You can access the DOL's resources online here.
4:16 p.m.
Local clothing brand Eddie Bauer announced that it will shift some of its production capacity to make and donate 20,000 N95 and surgical masks to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bellevue-based company said the masks will be distributed locally through the Washington's Department of Enterprise Services, which will determine which counties and health care facilities have the greatest needs.
As the novel coronavirus has spread, hospitals and first-responders say that there has been a shortage of available personal protective gear for workers with direct contact with patients.
3 p.m.
Sea-Tac TSA officer tests positive for COVID-19
A Transportation Security Administration security officer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport tested positive for COVID-19, the Port of Seattle announced on Tuesday.
The officer last worked at Sea-Tac airport on the morning shift on Saturday, March 21 at Checkpoint 5, according to the Port of Seattle, which runs the airport. Checkpoint 5 is currently being closed for additional cleaning. The Port of Seattle said it received the information from the TSA on Tuesday.
Employees or travelers who believe they may have been in contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should consult with their healthcare provider, the port said in a statement.
Job search requirement waived for Washington unemployment benefits
The Washington State Employment Security Department announced that weekly job searches will be optional for people who are seeking unemployment benefits. The waiver is in effect until further notice.
The Employment Security Department has reported huge increases of workers in Washington who have lost their jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1:45 p.m.
King County will suspend its Work Release Program and has been lowering the county correctional facility population in an effort to curb the area coronavirus outbreak.
In a news release, King County Executive Dow Constantine said the move would enable the jail staff to "ensure the health of everyone in correctional facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Jails will also reduce misdemeanor bookings, taking into custody only those booked in connection with misdemeanor assaults, violations of no contact or protection orders, DUIs, sex crimes or other charges which present a serious public safety concern. The jails will continue to accept felony bookings and those accused of violent crimes.
The county aims to reduce the adult population at King County's two correctional facilities to about 1,200, which would provide single bunks for people in custody.
Since March 1, the county has decreased the number of adults incarcerated by more than 300, from 1,940 to 1,638 today, according to the county press release.
1:30 p.m.
Valley Medical Center in Renton is accepting donations of masks, sanitizer, gloves and other medical gear, including homemade facemasks. More information about how to donate and how to make a homemade mask is available on the hospital's website.
Noon
President Donald Trump is weighing how to refine nationwide social-distancing guidelines to put some workers back on the job amid the coronavirus outbreak. At a virtual town hall hosted by Fox News on Tuesday, Trump said he is hoping the country will be reopened by Easter.
“I gave it two weeks," Trump said during the virtual town hall from the Rose Garden. He argued that tens of thousands of Americans die from the seasonal flu or in automobile accidents and “we don't turn the country off.”
Health experts have made clear that unless Americans continue to dramatically limit social interaction, staying home from work and isolating themselves, the number of infections will overwhelm the health care system, as it has in parts of Italy, leading to many more deaths.
11:30 a.m.
Ocean Shores Mayor Crystal Dingler issued an executive order to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the city. The order establishes a daily curfew in the city and closes some public areas. The executive order goes into effect at noon on Tuesday, March 24.
The general curfew will be in effect daily from midnight to 5 a.m.
Public restrooms, public recreation areas, and all beach approaches will be closed. All city parks will remain open, however, play areas, cooking shelters, and picnic tables will be closed. City-owned boat launches and public docks remain open.
The executive order will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 10, unless it is extended or terminated early by Mayor Dingler.
11:05 a.m.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) said a staff member at the Child Study and Treatment Center in Lakewood tested positive for coronavirus. The center treats children ages 5 to 17 years old who experience mental illness.
The DSHS said the staff member is being treated at a local hospital and is working with Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health on contact tracing.
All children at the Lakewood center are being screened for COVID-19 symptoms several times a day, and all staff members will be screened before entering the facility for their shift.
10:30 a.m.
There is a new dashboard set up by the state to help Washington residents track coronavirus cases county by county. The Washington State Department of Health said the interactive dashboard will be updated daily during the coronavirus pandemic.
10 a.m.
Researchers at the University of Washington are studying the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and bans set in place by the government on King County residents.
The King County COVID-19 Community Study will gather data through April 19 on how individuals and communities are coping with measures set in place to slow the spread of the virus. Click here to read more.
8:50 a.m.
Amazon announced that it has suspended more than 3,900 selling accounts for “violating our fair pricing policies” in the U.S.
The company said it has removed over 500,000 offers from stores due to coronavirus-based price gouging.
“We began taking these enforcement actions promptly upon discovering this kind of misconduct, and we’ve been partnering directly with law enforcement agencies to combat price gougers and hold them accountable,” Amazon said in a blog post.
8:35 a.m.
Kitsap County announced the following waste facilities are now closed to all customers to comply with Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order:
- Silverdale Recycling and Garbage Facility at 8843 NW Dickey Road, Silverdale
- Hansville Recycling and Garbage Facility at 7791 NE Ecology Road, Kingston
- Olalla Recycling and Garbage Facility at 2850 SE Burley-Olalla Road, Olalla
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 5551 SW Imperial Way, Bremerton
The Olympic View Transfer Station is open only to commercial account holders. The facility is closed to self-haul customers.
6:50 a.m.
Washington State Ferries (WSF) will remain on winter sailing schedules through at least April 25, 2020, as part of the state’s COVID-19 response. The spring sailing schedule was originally set to begin March 29.
WSF said the following additions that were set to begin with the spring schedule will not occur:
- Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Third vessel added on weekend schedule
- Anacortes/San Juan Islands: Interisland weekend service and addition of couple of afternoon sailings
- Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia: Start of one round trip to Canada daily (suspended until at least April 26)
5:45 a.m.
IOC President Thomas Bach has agreed “100%” to a proposal of postponing the Tokyo Olympics for about one year until 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday.
Abe said after his telephone talks with Bach that he requested a postponement of about one year “taking into consideration the current circumstances” and to secure an environment in which athletes can perform in their best conditions and the sense of safety and security for the audience.
Abe held telephone talks with Bach after the IOC said it would make a decision on the Tokyo Games over the next four weeks.
5:20 a.m.
Federal inspectors said they found three serious problems during their check of a Seattle-area nursing home hard-hit by the coronavirus.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with state regulators, found that the Life Care Center of Kirkland failed to rapidly identify and manage sick residents, failed to notify the Washington Department of Health about the increasing rate of respiratory infections among residents, and failed to have a backup plan in the absence of Life Care's primary doctor, who fell ill.
Inspectors said each of those problems placed residents in immediate jeopardy.
4:45 a.m.
Japan’s NHK public television says Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will propose a one-year postponement for the Tokyo Olympics during talks with IOC President Thomas Bach.
Abe says a postponement is unavoidable if the 2020 Games cannot be held in a complete manner amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Abe held telephone talks with Bach after IOC said it would make a decision on the Tokyo Games over the next four weeks.
4:30 a.m.
Chinese authorities are lifting a two-month lockdown of most of coronavirus-hit Hubei province, as domestic cases of the virus continue to subside.
People who are cleared will be able to leave the province after midnight Tuesday. The city of Wuhan, where the outbreak started, will remain locked down until April 8.
China barred people from leaving or entering Wuhan starting Jan. 23 and expanded it to most of the province in succeeding days. The drastic steps came as a new coronavirus began spreading to the rest of China and overseas during the Lunar New Year, when many Chinese travel. Hubei has seen almost no new infections for more than a week.
March 23:
8:15 p.m.
Gov. Inslee's statewide 'stay-at-home' order will not apply to essential businesses.
What is an essential business? The state classifies grocery stores, pharmacies, doctor's offices, to-go restaurants, gas stations, childcare, pot shops and many more to be "essential." The state posted a long list on its website.
Many other sectors, including utilities, agriculture and communications, are also included on the list of essential businesses.
6:20 p.m.
Click here to see the state's list of essential and non-essential businesses under the 'stay-at-home' order Gov. Inslee issued in Washington.
5:30 p.m.
Gov. Inslee announces statewide 'Stay Home' order to Washington residents for at least two weeks during the coronavirus pandemic.
Essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies will stay open. People can still go outside for walks but must maintain a social distance of six feet.
Inslee said there's no reason people should rush the stores. Everyone is encouraged to buy what they need, when they need it.
The order is for Washington residents to 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy' in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus in Washington.
3:57 p.m.
President Trump says the October 1st deadline to get a Real ID will be pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.
3:10 p.m.
There are now 110 coronavirus deaths among at least 2,221 overall cases in Washington, the Washington State Department of Health reports. A total of 31,712 people (93% of tests) have tested negative for the virus.
The new total number of cases is up more than 200 from over the weekend.
1:14 p.m.
People can donate money and medical gear to UW Medicine for staff providing care for the growing numbers of patients with COVID-19. The organization has set up a website with more information about where to donate face shields, face masks, goggles and other equipment. People can also use the website to leave messages of encouragement to the staff.
11:45 a.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee will be making an announcement from his office tonight at 5:30 p.m. Details have yet to be publicly announced. His address to the public will be broadcast live on KING 5, and here at king5.com.
11 a.m.
International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told reporters that based on the info the IOC has, the 2020 Summer games are going to be postponed.
9:45 a.m.
Boeing announced it will temporarily suspend production operations at Puget Sound facilities due to coronavirus.
The aerospace giant says it will begin reducing production Monday, and expects operations will be suspended beginning Wednesday.
Production will be suspended for 14 days.
Workers who cannot work remotely will receive pay for the initial 10 working days of the two week suspension, which Boeing says is double the company policy.
9 a.m.
About 350 acres of tulips and 500 acres of daffodils and the RoozenGaarde display garden are now closed to the public, according to a post on the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Facebook page.
No trespassing signs have been posted.
9 a.m.
High-risk residents of Snohomish County experiencing COVID-19 symptoms now have a drive-thru testing option.
Testing is being done by appointment near Everett Memorial Stadium.
In order to be eligible for testing you must be:
Experiencing symptoms (cough, fever of at least 100.4, sore throat and/or shortness of breath)
AND
Working in health care, public safety, or critical infrastructure like grocery stores, restaurants, shelters, gas stations, public utilities, child care, or correctional facilities OR
60 years of age or older OR
Someone with underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system OR
Currently pregnant.
8 a.m.
Whatcom County Health Department identified 29 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus in an outbreak among residents and staff at Shuksan Healthcare Center. Twenty-three of those are residents, six are staff.
Those cases are in additional to three cases confirmed by the health department on March 21.
As of Sunday, March 22, the total number of cases reported in Whatcom County was 48.
7:30 a.m.
A Boeing spokesperson confirmed there are 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among employees company-wide, 24 of those in the Puget Sound area and five out of state.
Of the local cases, there are 17 confirmed in Everett, five in Renton, one in Auburn, and one at the local headquarters in Longacres.
7 a.m.
An Everett Boeing worker has died due to the coronavirus, according to reports.
Lionel Washington told KING 5 that his brother, 58-year-old Elton Washington, was a Boeing employee and died from the virus.
“I saw a couple weeks ago that [Boeing] had four cases and I thought they should be shutting down. My brother walked right into it,” Lionel Washington said.
Lionel Washington has been posting on Facebook since March 17 about his brother’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
KING 5 reached out to Boeing for comment. The company said it cannot confirm that coronavirus was the cause of the worker’s death. Boeing said it is aware of the social media posts and wanted to confirm the information and respects the family’s privacy.
Last week, Boeing confirmed a total of 17 positive coronavirus cases at their facilities across the country.
Several Boeing workers have spoken to KING 5 anonymously and said they are frustrated the company has kept the factory open despite the rise in cases.
6 a.m.
King County Metro and Sound Transit are temporarily reducing service starting today.
Metro said some bus routes will not operate, and “nearly all routes will see individual trip cancelations.”
Sound Transit will retain the 14-minute train frequencies that have been in place during the construction period. Officials said this change provides enough capacity for current ridership and allows for social distancing.
4:30 a.m.
Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson issued a stay-at-home order for “residents, business owners, and others who work and recreate within the City of Edmonds.”
The order took effect at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020.
According to a press release from the city, the order lays out the following:
A) Stay home, except for certain essential activities and work to provide essential business and government services, or perform essential public infrastructure construction. Homeless individuals are not subject to this order.
B) Essential activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Errands to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor.
- Acquiring necessary services or supplies for you, your family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying home. This can include curbside pick-up, delivery, take out or drive-thru food and beverage services. Please only purchase items you immediately need and do not stockpile.
- Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running, provided you keep at least 6 feet of distance between others.
- Caring for a family member in another household.
- Caring for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.
Essential business and government services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Health care operations, including all training and educational programs and home health workers.
- Essential infrastructure, including construction of housing (residential and mixed-use), industrial and commercial projects currently underway; and operation of public transportation and utilities.
- Businesses that supply products or services necessary to both maintain the functionality and/or safety of equipment, facilities, utilities, healthcare, national defense, all modes of transportation and critical supply chains used in other essential businesses.
- Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores.
- Food and beverage providers offering curbside pick up, delivery, take out or drivethru services.
- Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities.
- Pharmacies, health care supply stores and health care facilities.
- Gas stations and auto repair facilities.
- Banks.
- Garbage collection.
- Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses.
- Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning.
- Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers.
- Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences.
- Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to go to work.
- Roles required for any essential business to "maintain basic operations," which include security, payroll, and similar activities.
- See the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s comprehensive list of Critical Infrastructure Sectors.
C) Follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention when conducting essential activities and services allowed under B. above. These recommendations include the following:
- (i) maintain at least 6 feet from other individuals, wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer, cover coughs or sneezes, and do not shake hands; and
- (ii) perform routine environmental cleaning.
D) Employers in Edmonds that do not provide essential businesses or government services should take all steps necessary for employees to work remotely from home to the extent possible.
4 a.m.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, Johns Hopkins University reports 349,211 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. The United States has 35,224 confirmed cases, the third-most in the world behind China and Spain.