As of late February 2020, Public Health – Seattle & King County identified cases of novel coronavirus, including several deaths. With additional positive cases expected, King County is acting swiftly to respond to the outbreak in this quickly changing situation.

In response to concerns about the siting of a quarantine facility for the COVID-19 Virus in Top Hat, King County held a COVID-19 community briefing meeting/call on Friday March 6 with King County staff from the Public Health Seattle/King County, the Executive’s office, the Department of Local Services, and the Office of Equity and Social Justice.

Listen to the full one hour call at the link below.

They explained that the site is to be used for isolation and quarantine to house individuals who cannot quarantine at home. Some might be travelers, others might have room mates and other reasons might exist that prevent them from staying home.

Regarding the Top Hat quarantine site at 206 112th SW: Initially two four-room trailers will occupy the site, six more will follow once the county has demolished an existing building there. 

Security will be there but only one person will be there 24 hours a day based on current plans. Community members expressed concern about this on the call but officials said the need would be evaluated as the site gets established and it could change. If people leave the site, officials would be notified.

The site will not open until utilities including water and sewer are hooked up to the trailers’ built-in bathrooms contrary to the original plan that included portable toilets. The plumbing work should be complete by the middle of next week.

No medical staff will be on site but the county said they would check in with those quarantined at least twice a day. Food and other supplies will be delivered in a drop off manner, with no contact with those inside. 

Those who are  being tested could stay until results are known. Sick people might stay, if their cases are mild, until they recover.

 County Councilmember Joe McDermott and Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta were notably part of the call. Mark Ufkes, long time community activist expressed his thanks to the officlals for making the community part of the process. Calli Knight - Deputy Director of External Relations fielded several questions. McDermott stated that King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s request for emergency funding will be approved at next Tuesday’s King County Council meeting.

The meeting was an opportunity for members of the community to voice concerns, learn about the precautions and steps being taken to ensure the safety of the community, and for King County staff to learn how the White Center community would like to be kept up-to-date on this rapidly evolving public health situation moving forward.

But the question of the language barrier in one of the most diverse communities in the state came up. An Emergency Ordinance was transmitted to the County Council (again to be addressed Tuesday) including $150,000 for outreach and translation services. Officials said that the Executive's office was actively seeking a philanthropic partner to match those funds or exceed them.

Questions remain regarding potential barriers that could be added to the existing chain link fence that separates the site from neighboring parking lots and while they said the County is seeking other potential quarantine sites, no immediate answers regarding potential use of Port of Seattle land was available.