Although the current risk to people in King County from the new coronavirus (COVID-19) remains low (with no local cases), it is increasingly likely that it will spread to the US at some point.
- Prepare now: Public Health — Seattle & King County recommends that organizations and individuals prepare now in order to reduce the number of illnesses and negative effects that could occur in our community.
- Travel and illness: People who are traveling should be aware of the impacted countries, and if they become ill after traveling, call a doctor or hospital.
- Discrimination based on ethnicity or ancestry will make the situation worse. Having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not make a person more vulnerable to this illness. Coronavirus doesn’t recognize race, nationality nor ethnicity.
- Additional updates are available from Public Health — Seattle & King County, federal CDC and Washington State Department of Health.