The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.



This remains a quickly evolving event. The City of Kirkland currently has thirty-one firefighters and three police officers in quarantine. Six firefighters have now been released after completing their recommended quarantine period without demonstrating symptoms, and nine additional firefighters have been placed into quarantine. Most are in isolation or quarantine at home. Fire Station 21 continues to be kept offline and is available to firefighters for isolation, a second facility is being used for quarantine.



All of our first responders that are currently symptomatic have been tested. We’ve had eight tests come back negative, and very recently we have had one positive test for COVID-19. Public health is currently in the process of determining whether the positive test was the result of contact with a patient or with the general public. For the tests results that have been negative, first responders will still be in quarantine for the entire 14-day period recommended by Public Health Seattle-King County. We are still waiting for additional test results.

“We remain committed to supporting our firefighters in quarantine and isolation, as well as those on duty,” said Chief Joe Sanford. “This is a challenging time for all of our community members, including our first responders. I encourage everyone to exercise patience, kindness and understanding as we make are way through this event.”



The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and responding to calls as normal. City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols.



While the City appreciates the outpouring of support and concern from the community for our first responders, the City cannot accept donations at this time.



Following current direction from Seattle King County Public Health, and our ongoing needs to have the capacity to staff our emergency operations center we have concluded that the City will be cancelling all City evening meetings except for City Council meetings until the end of March. This includes Commissions, Boards, and all Neighborhood Association meetings. The City of Kirkland Passport Office will be closed from Monday, March 9th through Friday, March 20th.



The City of Kirkland has also cancelled most recreation programming and classes and closed community centers to the public through Tuesday, March 31.



More information and full list of recommendations are available from Seattle & King County Public Health: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020/March/4-covid-recommendations.aspx



The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

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