Press Release
Commissioners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kittitas County Board of Commissioners Address Outbreak Response

Kittitas County, WA - 03/11/2020 - The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) has been working closely with Human Resources and other county offices to ensure that Kittitas County as an employer is ready to respond to the community spread of COVID-19. Continuity of Operations is essential to providing governmental services to our community.

Numerous considerations have been made to ensure services continue during emergencies.  Essential functions include duties such as public safety, providing vital records, permitting, and more.  As a county, the BOCC has always encouraged cross training to address continuity of operations with the knowledge of increased absenteeism.  However, with an outbreak there are specific concerns for employers.
 
Considerations that are specific to COVID-19 center on the following:

• Addressing potential suspension of travel to affected areas.
• Monitoring the severity of illness in Kittitas County via the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD).
• Supporting employees who may have to care for someone at home.
• Responding to employees who may be tested or diagnosed with COVID-19.

 
“It is our responsibility to carry out the daily operations of Kittitas County and as one of the largest employers here, we must be prepared to ensure the health of our employees,” states Commissioner Wachsmith.  If an employee from Kittitas County is diagnosed with COVID-19, we plan to follow the recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).  If possible, the individual will be given an opportunity to carry out work at home during the required isolation period.
 
Kittitas County Maintenance is ensuring our buildings are routinely cleaned. The County is also providing access to hand sanitizers in every county location in an effort to help employees stay healthy, as the outbreak continues; we will notify employees of agency concerns via our internal communication system.
 
If employers are concerned about their preparedness, there are resources available via DOH along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: Brett Wachsmith, County Commissioner, 509-962-7508