Published November 6 2020
Health officials encourage 'smaller, smarter' holiday gatherings
With a daily record for new coronavirus cases statewide set on Tuesday, Bellevue residents are encouraged to keep wearing masks and practicing physical distancing.
In King County, infections in early November have surpassed the previous highs in April and July. Officials with Public Health – Seattle & King County are reminding people to stay home if they can.
“We are in a very vulnerable time right now, and for the next several months we need to make a very concerted effort,” said Health Officer for Public Health Dr. Jeff Duchin in a public address Friday.
Mayor Lynne Robinson echoed public health officials, saying, “We cannot afford to be complacent about this, and our economy can’t afford it either. Thank you for making a difference by protecting yourself, your family and our community.”
Duchin asked residents to continue restricting activities and the number and duration of contacts with people outside of your household, adding that Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays could potentially worsen the outbreak and overwhelm hospitals if people hold large, traditional gatherings.
Duchin stressed that if people limit holiday celebrations this fall to their immediate households, “we can make sure next year everybody in the family is at the dinner table and we don’t lose people who we otherwise would have been able to celebrate with.”
Health officials continue to endorse these safe practices.
- maintaining physical distance of 6 feet or more from others;
- minimizing contact with people outside of your household;
- frequent hand washing or sanitizer;
- using cloth face coverings in public;
- avoiding group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces; and
- getting a flu vaccine.
Public Health is now recommending anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or close contact with someone who has COVID-19 to isolate and be tested right away. Testing is available at Sea Mar Community Health Centers in Bellevue (425-460-7140). New drive-through flu vaccine clinics will be available next week in Newcastle, Kent and SeaTac. You can find a clinic at KingCounty.gov/findaclinic.
The county offers a wealth of information at KingCounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19.