The King County and Seattle Public Health Departments shared a series of documents regarding the decision to establish quarantine facilities in the area, including one in Top Hat near White Center. The first of these is below regarding what they refer to as NPI's or Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions.

READ and DOWNLOAD the CORONA VIRUS FACT SHEET HERE

from King County and Seattle Public Health

WHAT ARE NPI’S?

The non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) below have been chosen by the Washington State Department of Health as the most effective strategies to minimize the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

The 13 strategies below are ranked from the most flexible to the most restrictive. Restrictive strategies are not in place now, public health officers have the authority to implement these. Strategies 8 through 13 are not in effect as of March 2, 2020. Stay informed from the Washington State Department of Health (www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus) and Public Health – Seattle & King County (www.kingcounty.gov/covid).

For each of the 13 strategies, the state Department of Health has developed the public health rationale, benefits and risks, and guidance for decision-making and implementation.

INTERVENTIONS OUTLINED IN NPI IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE.

Strategies in place (as of March 2, 2020):

1. Increase handwashing and use of alcohol-based sanitizer

2. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

3. Keep distance from others (>6 feet)

4. Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces

5. Remain home during a respiratory illness

6. Voluntary isolation of sick persons

7. Voluntary quarantine of contacts of sick persons

Strategies that may be implemented as needed depending on the spread of COVID-19

8. Involuntary isolation of sick persons

9. Involuntary quarantine of contacts of sick persons

10. Recommend or order cancellation of major public and large private gatherings

11. Recommend or order closure of schools, childcare facilities, workplaces, and

public buildings

12. Prevent non-emergency travel outside of the home

13. Isolate specific geographic areas, also called “establishing a cordon sanitaire”

Fact sheet: Siting of modular units for COVID-19    

Where are modular units being located in response to COVID-19?  

• Top Hat: 206 SW 112th St., Seattle, capacity for 8 modular units. The modulars will initially have a portable toilet and hand washing station for each room and will operate off of generator power until they can be connected to utilities.  

• Elliott: 531 Elliott Avenue West, Seattle. Capacity of up to 72 people.

• Aurora: 1132 N. 128th Street, Seattle. Planned for 6 modular units. The City of Seattle is engaging residents in this area to identify immediate and long-term community needs.   What is the capacity of each modular unit?  

• Each modular unit has 4 rooms. • Each modular unit has a bathroom and 2 beds. • Public Health will determine how many people will be in each room.

• Family members could potentially share a room.    

How many other sites are being or were considered?  

This is a county-wide emergency and we are looking for sites and facilities across the county and in partnership with the City of Seattle, which is also identifying shelter locations in response to COVID-19.  

Can you explain some of the criteria the search is based on?  

We are looking initially at county-owned sites. This is a declared state of emergency and county-owned sites give us authority over permitting, allowing us to respond to public health needs more quickly. We were also looking for sites with access to utilities such as water, power, and sewer. The modular units are equipped to be set up with such utilities. In the meantime, we can use portable hand-washing stations, port-a-potties, and generators as needed.