Seattle tech giants implementing work-from-home policies

With 70 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington, including 10 deaths, major tech companies in Seattle have begun implementing their work-from-home policies.

Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Facebook have all urged employees to work remotely for the next three weeks, with the latter two completely shutting down their Seattle offices until at least March 9.

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The closures come after updates that both Amazon and Facebook have at least one employee testing positive for COVID-19.

While Microsoft and Google have not reported any cases of coronavirus on their campuses, they’re following the recommendations of King County health officials to avoid crowds as much as possible.

“Consistent with King County guidance, we are recommending all employees who are in a job that can be done from home should do so through March 25,” said Kurt DelBene, executive vice president of Microsoft, in a statement. They are planning on continuing to implement the CDC guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing the locations for those required to be in office.

Washingtonians have been treating the virus as a pandemic, panic buying through shops and notifying medical personnel when they feel the need to be tested.

Public Health Officials in King County have announced that they are planning to create an isolation community for those infected, as well as modular housing to help get homeless persons off the streets.

If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you’re a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact the novel coronavirus call center at 206-477-3977.