New Images Emerge Of America’s First Covid-19 “Quarantine Village”

We noted earlier this week that King County Chief Executive Dow Constantine said the final negotiations to purchase a motel and convert it into a Covid-19 quarantine village were underway.

On March 4, KOMO Seattle’s Matt Markovich ‘confirmed’ that the “first permanent quarantine village in Washington state for Covid-19 will be the EconoLodge in Kent. We also believe the City of Seattle and King County will establish 3 modular quarantine villages. West Seattle & North Seattle.”

It’s believed that King County officials paid upwards of $4 million for the 84-unit motel on Central Avenue.

I find this very interesting. Media gathering for a tour arrange by King Co at the Econolodge in Kent the new location for a quarantine village for #Covid_19 patients but motel employees they have no clue motel’s new purpose. Receptionist didn’t know anything #komonews pic.twitter.com/jFM8CpXPrm

— Matt Markovich (@mattmarkovich) March 4, 2020

The EconoLodge in Kent, which is in the heart of the Seattle–Tacoma metropolitan area, will be America’s first Covid-19 quarantine village. As cases and deaths surge in Washington state, officials aren’t constructing modular hospitals in two weeks like China did last month, but rather buying existing commercial properties, such as motels, and stuffing infected people within.

Markovich said another “Covid-19 quarantine village using modular units now underway at 1100 block of 128th St. in North Seattle. There has been no public announcement about this so far.”

Prep work now underway for Covid-19 quarantine village using modular units now underway at 1100 block of 128th St. in North Seattle. There has been no public announcement about this so far. #komonews pic.twitter.com/Oi3GTz7NFl

— Matt Markovich (@mattmarkovich) March 4, 2020

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph was visibly upset that King County officials chose the EconoLodge in her district as an isolation center for Covid-19 patients. Mayor Ralph said, “there was no transparency.”

Breaking: Mayor of Kent is upset that city wasn’t told until late Monday that King County will open a isolation center for Covid -19 at the Econolodge in the next 10 days “there was no transparacy” #Covid_19 #komonews pic.twitter.com/SCGi0dIsSX

— Matt Markovich (@mattmarkovich) March 4, 2020

The Kent police chief was agitated as well by county officials. He said the city “cannot prevent” patients from leaving the motel.

Kent police chief upset that motel will be a “voluntary” #Covid_19 isolation center and the city “cannot prevent” patients from leaving motel #komonews pic.twitter.com/msaFIO2R7V

— Matt Markovich (@mattmarkovich) March 4, 2020

You’re watching history in the making as the first Covid-19 quarantine village is erected in Washington state. Expect this to be the norm in cities across America if the virus outbreak worsens.