Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on SeaTac International Airport’s passenger trends, an update from Public Health—Seattle & King County, and more.

Washington Trivia

What is the most poisonous plant in Washington?

(Answer is at the bottom).



FlyHealthy@SEA Update

Passenger trends show a gradual return, especially as we head into the July 4th holiday weekend. SeaTac International Airport (SEA) is expecting to see more than 20,000 departing passengers pass through SEA on the days leading up to the holiday weekend. That’s in comparison to an average of more than 13,000 per day last week and 2,500 per day during the low point of the COVID-19 crisis in March. You can get more information and statistics at their public dashboard here.



Increasing cases of COVID-19 in King County highlight the need to limit close contact

Public Health—Seattle & King County continues to monitor cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 and has noted an increase in cases over the past two weeks. Recent cases are from all areas of the county, with the largest increase in new cases in young adults and Seattle residents. At this point, no specific venue or risk factor has been identified as a cause of the increase.

Public Health has not seen increasing trends in hospitalizations, and it is not known if the recent increase in cases will subside, be sustained, or further increase, potentially causing significant stress on the healthcare system in coming weeks or months.

Public Health expects to see some increase in cases as people get back to work and other activities in the community because there are more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread. In order to minimize this risk, it is even more important to do everything we can as individuals and in workplaces, businesses, recreational and social settings to prevent COVID-19 transmission. For more information, view this blog post on Public Health Insider.

King County Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 168 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 10,069. In addition, Public Health reported 0 new death, keeping the total in the county at 586.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer:

Although many recall from history that Socrates died of drinking poisonous hemlock, the Western Water Hemlock, also known as Cicuta, is found to be more poisonous than the one he drank. It contains a type of toxin called cicutoxin which causes stimulatory effects in the central nervous system including seizures. Found in swampy areas throughout the state, water hemlocks may grow between 2 to 8 feet tall, with small white flowers in double clusters, narrow sawtooth leaves and hollow stems. Although the root is the most poisonous, any part of the plant that is ingested is usually fatal. Activated charcoal may aid in decreasing the absorption of the toxins, while anticonvulsant drugs are required to stop seizures.