2 dozen first responders quarantined for coronavirus in Wash.

By Nancy Perry

KING COUNTY, Wash. — Twenty-five Kirkland firefighters and two Kirkland police officers have been placed under quarantine "out of an abundance of caution" due to a COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak at a care facility, according to a Kirkland Fire Department press release. Firefighters are either under home quarantine or at a Kirkland fire station for quarantine.

Each responder is believed to have possibly come in contact with the coronavirus at Life Care Center of Kirkland, a nursing and rehab facility, where dozens of residents and staff are reporting symptoms that might suggest coronavirus, reports KIRO 7.

“I would like to specifically acknowledge the outstanding work of our firefighters during these events,” said City Manager Kurt Triplett in the press release. “They have been doing their job and assisting people in this care facility for the past few weeks. At the recommendation of Public Health, this has meant that any firefighters who responded to a call at the facility is in quarantine due to an abundance of caution. None of them are presenting any symptoms and we hope they will be tested and cleared soon. In the meantime, other firefighters are covering through overtime and are continuing to respond to calls throughout the city.”