COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 information pages are no longer updated.
See the CDC's COVID website for current information and trends.
COVID-19 information pages are no longer updated.
See the CDC's COVID website for current information and trends.
-
State to Text Every Person Who Tests Positive
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe State is now texting a verification code to every person in Washington state who tests positive for COVID-19.
People who test positive for COVID-19 will still receive notification from their health care provider or testing facility – that won’t change. But everyone who tests positive will now also receive a text. That text includes a link to activate a verification code within WA Notify, and anonymously alert users they may have been exposed.
People who test positive can expect to receive a text from DOH within 24 hours after they get the result. Anyone who receives a text and isn’t using WA Notify can simply disregard it.
Learn more:
- Visit WANotify.org to see how easy it is to add WA Notify to your smartphone.
- Information about WA Notify is available in multiple languages: WANotify.org/languages.
- View a video that describes how WA Notify works.
The goal is to help WA Notify exposure notification users alert fellow users faster if they’ve been exposed. This began on January 11.
Questions can be directed to the State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline, 1-800-525-0127.
-
Healthy Washington COVID Recovery Plan
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkIn a news conference on January 5, Governor Inslee announced an updated COVID recovery plan that takes effect on January 11.
The new two-phased Healthy Washington plan aims to ease some restrictions while also maintaining crucial hospital capacity and paving the way for economic recovery. Eventually, businesses like restaurants and fitness facilities will be allowed to reopen at service levels comparable to those seen before the current pause, which was first implemented on November 16, 2020.
The new Healthy Washington plan breaks the state up into 8 healthcare regions: King, Pierce, and Snohomish County are grouped together. All regions will begin in Phase 1. In general, most sectors of the economy will not reopen significantly until a region advances to Phase 2 (except for some limited entertainment and fitness scenarios).
During Phase 1 of the new Healthy Washington Recovery Plan, indoor gatherings and indoor dining remain prohibited; outdoor dining with a maximum of six and limit of two households per table is permitted with an 11:00pm close. In addition, retail, personal services, and professional services — where remote work is not possible — and worship services are limited to 25% capacity.
A region’s phase will be determined by the Department of Health (DOH) in response to four measured requirements, to be calculated weekly, on Fridays. To advance from Phase 1 to Phase 2, regions must meet all four of the following metrics:
Worsening metrics may result in reverting from Phase 2 back to Phase 1. Learn more, and view details, on the Governor’s blog page.
-
New Quarantine Guidelines
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe CDC currently recommends a quarantine period of 14 days but there are circumstances that allow for a shortened quarantine.
As we all know, public health officials, including the CDC recommend, a quarantine period of 14 days. However, based on local circumstances and resources, the following options to shorten quarantine are acceptable alternatives.
-
Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.
- With this strategy, residual post-quarantine transmission risk is estimated to be about 1% with an upper limit of about 10%.
-
Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring (when diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available).
- The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation (e.g., in anticipation of testing delays), but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.
- With this strategy, the residual post-quarantine transmission risk is estimated to be about 5% with an upper limit of about 12%.
In both cases, additional criteria (e.g., continued symptom monitoring and masking through Day 14) must be met and are outlined in the full text.
Washington and King County are both following the new CDC guidelines.
For more information visit the CDC's quarantine information page.
-
Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.
-
Emergency Warning Signs of COVID-19
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkAs we head into cold and flu season, it is important to understand the symptoms of COVID-19 and when to seek medical help.
The CDC reminds us to keep an eye on our flu-like symptoms that could be COVID-19. If you or a family member is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
Call 9-1-1 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Make sure to notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
As a reminder, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Contact your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Learn more about caring for yourself or others:
For more information or to use the CDC's Coronavirus Self-Checker, click here.
-
Updated High-Risk List
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe CDC updated the high-risk list, and it’s not just older adults.
The latest scientific studies reviewed by the CDC show that people with the following conditions, or suffer from the following, are also more at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, regardless of their age:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic lung disease
- People who have had organ transplants
- Serious heart conditions
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- High blood pressure
- Dementia
- Liver disease
- Type 1 diabetes
- A weakened immune system
The latest evidence also suggests that obesity is another high risk factor, and that pregnant women and smokers might be at increased risk. For the full list and more information, visit the CDC website.
If you are in a group that the CDC has identified as high-risk or needing extra precautions, avoid contact outside the home as much as possible. Everyone should continue to:- Wear face coverings.
- Stay at least six feet away from other people.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Avoid large group activities - Phase 2 only allows for gatherings of less than 5 people from outside your household.
- When gathering, do so outside - ventilation helps.
-
Statewide Face Mask Requirements
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkIt's official - face coverings are now required in most public places in Washington and businesses must refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask.
Updated July 14: On June 23, Governor Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced an order mandating the use of cloth face coverings in most public areas. The order took effect June 26. Shortly after, Governor Inslee announced a statewide order for businesses to refuse service to patrons who are not wearing face coverings. The order went into effect Tuesday, July 7.
Individuals are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces like stores, offices, and restaurants. The order also requires face coverings outdoors when individuals can't stay 6 feet apart.
Face covering may be removed when seated at a restaurant or when recreating alone. Individuals do not need to wear a cloth face covering in their home when they are only with people in their household, alone in their car, or outdoors and people are far apart.
Exemptions. People with certain disabilities or health conditions, are deaf or hard of hearing, and children under the age of 5 (though it's encouraged to have children ages 3-5 wear a covering if possible) are not required to wear face coverings.
Enforcement. Customers who are concerned that a business is not adequately enforcing the face mask order or other Safe Start requirements can submit an anonymous complaint. Violations can be enforced by Labor & Industries as a safety and health violation by the employer that could carry a penalty of nearly $10,000 or more. Individuals not following the DOH order on face coverings may be subject to a misdemeanor charge with a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 90 days in county jail per RCW 43.70.130(7), RCW 70.05.120(4), and WAC 246-100-070(3). Click here for more information.
- - - - - - - - - -
Still need a face covering? Please contact the City's COVID-19 Hotline, 206-275-7626 or coronavirus@mercergov.org. The City also hosts regular distribution events in City parks and Town Center. If you need a face covering now, check out this very simple, 45-second video on how to make a covering out of a t-shirt or check out other DIY, no-sew face covering options.
Wear it right! We're still seeing people who are not quite wearing face coverings correctly. Make sure you are following best practices. And don't forget to wash your face coverings regularly!
It really does help! The CDC just released a report highlighting the effectiveness of face coverings against COVID-19 transmission. Click here to read their report.
More. Click through these links to learn more about Face Coverings and Children and the Science of Masks.
-
UPDATED COVID-19 Symptoms
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe CDC just added new symptoms to its list of known symptoms.
Researchers are continuing to learn more about COVID-19. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms.
-
King County Coronavirus Call Center
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
King County established a Coronavirus Call Center on March 3.
-
If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you're a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977.
-
The call center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST.
-
For general questions about COVID-19 or Washington State's response, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127
-
City Facilities and Programs
Open City Facilities
Closed City Facilities
- City Hall
- Luther Burbank Admin Building
- Fire Stations
Events and Programs
- Drop-in Sports at MICEC
- Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)
- Summer Camps
- Summer Celebration!
- National Night Out
- Visit the City's event calendar for more events!
Public Meetings
The City Council is meeting in a hybrid format (in-person and virtually). Visit the Council Connects page to learn how to participate. Boards and Commissions continue to meet virtually.
