Regency North Bend outbreak leaves four dead

A large outbreak of COVID-19 at Regency North Bend, a senior living facility, was confirmed by Seattle & King County Public Health officials on Nov. 25.

The coronavirus outbreak has killed four residents, and at least 24 of the 42 residents have contracted the virus. Staff has not been spared either, with at least 23 of the facility’s 55 staff members testing positive. These numbers were updated on Dec. 1.

King County operates a dashboard detailing cases at licensed long-term care facilities in the county. It is updated on Thursdays, and as of Wednesday, Nov. 25, the dashboard did not reflect the outbreak.

An in-person inspection was conducted on Nov. 24. Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health made several recommendations.

They included training staff on how to wear N95 masks correctly and how to conduct seal checks, audit staff compliance with using personal protective equipment and ensuring that staff and outside contractors adhere to protective gear usage requirements.

All residents doors must remain closed unless it is unsafe to do so. Staff must further ensure social distancing, and the facility must consult with an airflow specialist for guidance on how to optimize air flow.

Regency has not responded to a request for comment.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.