A suburban school district north of Seattle was closed Tuesday for training on conducting remote lessons in the event of prolonged school closures due to a virus outbreak that has killed nine people in Washington. A private school said it will conduct classes online only until the end of March.
A worker wears a mask at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle, walks near a UPS truck during a package delivery, Monday, March 2, 2020. Several of the people who have died in Washington state from the COVID-19 coronavirus were tied to the long-term care facility, where dozens of residents were sick.
Ted S. Warren/AP
The schools took the steps after researchers said the virus that causes the disease called COVID-19 may have been circulating for weeks undetected in Washington state, and experts said more cases will probably be reported soon.
The new coronavirus is spreading across the Pacific Northwest. Here some basic things to know:
• Coronavirus is more severe and more contagious than the flu. Take it seriously but don’t panic.
• The elderly and immune-compromised are most at-risk, but everyone can get sick.
• If you are sick stay home, self-quarantine and call your doctor.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is a backup option.
• Cough into a sleeve. Wash hands after coughing. Avoid touching your face.
• Sterilize things you touch often, like computers, phones, keys, and tablets.
• If you have prescriptions, call your doctor and ask for a 3-month supply in case of drug shortages.
More questions about the new coronavirus, answered
Nine people have died from the disease in Washington state, as of Tuesday afternoon.
Susan Gregg, a spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, said on Tuesday that a patient died Feb. 26 and that health officials now say the death was due to COVID-19. She said the person had been a resident at a suburban Seattle care facility that has reported multiple virus cases and deaths. Gregg said some hospital staff may have been exposed while treating the patient but officials don’t believe other patients were. The hospital’s staff are being monitored and screened daily.
A federal immigration field office near Tukwila, Washington, closed after an employee visited the LifeCare Center. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the decision to close the office was made “out of an abundance of caution” and that it would remain closed for 14 days.
The Eastside Prep private school in Kirkland, Washington, said it would have students stay home and do online classes because of virus concerns. The school for grades 5 through 12 of nearly 500 students said on its website it had no known cases or suspected cases connected to the campus, but “we do not feel it is prudent to wait until there is a known case to take action.” The school said it would conduct online classes through March 27.
Meanwhile, the Northshore School District, which has about 22,000 students just north of Seattle, was closed Tuesday so its teachers could also get ready to teach remotely if the need arises. Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a letter to students’ families that the district was also making plans to help students who don’t have computers or internet access at home.
Seattle Public Schools has so far said it will not close but is monitoring the situation.
Local and state health officials have not recommended school closures or cancellation of activities but said they respect the decisions of local school leaders.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington on Sunday said they had evidence the virus may have been circulating in the state for up to six weeks undetected. If true, that could mean that there are hundreds of undiagnosed cases in the area.
