Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on the burn ban for unincorporated areas in King County, Washington State Parks guidelines for responsible recreation, a case update, and more.

Washington Trivia

What are the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in Washington?

(Answer is at the bottom).



Fire Marshal Issues Burn Ban for Unincorporated Areas in King County

Following dry conditions in the forecast, King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts issued a Phase 1 burn ban for the unincorporated areas of King County starting July 27th. The Phase 1 burn ban applies to all outdoor burning, except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or on private property with the owner’s permission. Read full guidance here.

State Parks Ask Visitors to Avoid Crowded Parks this Summer

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is asking the public to follow the Guidelines for Responsible Recreation as they plan a trip to a state park this summer. Popular state parks across Washington have been experiencing high numbers of visitors this summer. Visitors are encouraged to visit other places when parks are crowded and parking lots are full. Read more about it here.

CDC Changes Guidance on Isolation

Using a symptom-based strategy, the CDC advised that recent evidence informs the duration of isolation and precautions recommended to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to others. For most persons with COVID-19, isolation and precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after the onset of symptoms and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms. Additionally, persons who never develop symptoms may discontinue isolation and other precautions 10 days after the date of their first positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Read more about it here.

University of Washington: COVID-19 Update

In response to COVID-19, the University of Washington and UW Medicine have organized current data and information on UW Virology Testing Results and COVID-19 Inpatient Cases.

UW Virology Testing Results:
As of July 22nd, there were 5,694 total tests, with 5,632 testing negative and 332 testing positive/inconclusive. To view UW Virology’s COVID-19 dashboard, click here.



UW Medicine COVID-19 Inpatient Cases:
As of July 23rd, there are 30 UW Medicine inpatients who are COVID-19 positive. The chart shows the number of COVID-19 positive patients at UW Medicine hospitals over time, but is not inclusive of all cases in the region.



Weekly King County Health Update: Rabies and Bats

Last week, a rabid bat was found in Seattle. No one has been reported infected so far, but it’s important to know that rabies is a life-threatening disease. Fortunately, rabies can be treated if it is caught before symptoms emerge.

As we make our way through the summer and the weather becomes warmer, more and more bats are coming out of hibernation and into contact with people. These bats have the potential to carry rabies, which can spread to humans. There are about 70 to 100 reports of people exposed to rabid bats each summer in King County, and there have already been three reports of rabid bat interactions in the past weeks.

King County Public Health recommends that “if you have had contact with a bat, or even woke up in a room with a bat inside, you should call your medical provider immediately, in addition to reporting the exposure to Public Health at: 206-296-4774.”

To learn more about bats and rabies please visit the King County Public Health Insider.

King County Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 110 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 14,729. In addition, Public Health reported 1 new death, bringing the total in the county to 644.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer:

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Washington was 118°F on August 5, 1961 at Ice Harbor Dam in Southeastern Washington and on July 24, 1928 at Wahluke in Eastern Washington. The coldest was -48°F on December 30, 1968 in Mazama and Winthrop in Okanogan County.