US - NorthWest

Bonnie Holstad holds a sign explaining concern for her husband, Ken Holstad, who is a resident at Life Care Center of Kirkland. David Ryder/Reuters

cnn.com - by Madeline Holcombe and Kay Jones - March 4, 2020

As they wait for answers, loved ones of residents at the Life Care Center are growing in "anger and fear and frustration" after the novel coronavirus spread to the nursing home, Pat Herrick told CNN.

Herrick's mother has lived at the facility in the Seattle suburbs for seven years. Now, it is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Five deaths have been tied to the Kirkland facility, according to the King County government, and friends and family of its 108 patients have been barred from visiting.

More than 50 residents and staff will be tested after experiencing symptoms, said Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, health officer for Seattle and King County.

Life Care Center of Kirkland (KIRO)

thehill.com - by Peter Sullivan - February 29, 2020

Officials on Saturday announced a possible outbreak of coronavirus at a nursing facility in Washington State, a serious situation given the risks the virus poses to elderly people.

The possible outbreak is at a long-term care facility in Kirkland, Wash., called Life Care Center, officials from Washington state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on a media call Saturday. 

There are two presumptive positives associated with the facility, one a health care worker and the other a woman in her 70s. 

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ALSO SEE RELATED ARTICLE HERE - Health officials: Dozens at Kirkland nursing facility reporting symptoms that might suggest coronavirus

New network expands US ability to respond to outbreaks of severe, highly infectious diseases

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES            June 12, 2015

WASHINGTON -- To further strengthen the nation’s infectious disease response capability, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has selected nine health departments and associated partner hospitals to become special regional treatment centers for patients with Ebola or other severe, highly infectious diseases.

HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has awarded approximately $20 million through its Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to enhance the regional treatment centers’ capabilities to care for patients with Ebola or other highly infectious diseases. ASPR will provide an additional $9 million to these recipients in the subsequent four years to sustain their readiness...

The nine awardees and their partner hospitals are: