19 Kirkland firefighters now in isolation as families struggle for info on coronavirus patients

KIRKLAND, Wash. — While paramedics were transporting a 90-year-old patient having trouble breathing in Kirkland's Life Care facility, the patient's daughter was on the phone frantically trying to find out what was happening to her mother.

"She's been in and out of the emergency room last week," said Vanessa Phelps. "I just had a feeling she wasn't going to survive this. She's 90, and very sick."

Vanessa Phelps reached out to KIRO 7 by phone Monday because she herself is in quarantine.

Phelps says she spent time at the Life Care facility before anyone knew there were up to fifty possible coronavirus cases. Phelps is also a recovering cancer patient with a compromised immune system, so we were told she's not allowed to go back.

"I'm quarantined to my house for 14 days, so I can't even go see my mother," she said. "I don't want her to die alone."

Phelps said she was never able to get any information by phone about her mother. Other patients' families have the same complaint with KIRO 7.

"I've been calling all day. It either rings busy or they don't answer," Phelps said.

"They're very short-staffed. Very short," said Colleen Mallory, one of few family members allowed to see her parent inside.

The staffing shortage at the nursing care facility is also affecting the paramedics who have been there.

KIRO 7 learned two more Kirkland Firefighters have been taken off-duty and into quarantine Monday.

Early Tuesday morning KIRO 7 was able to confirm that one of the Kirkland firefighters initially in quarantine had been released.

Twenty-six firefighters and paramedics are now in quarantine.

Sources tell KIRO 7 19 of them have shown symptoms. They have been put into isolation in other fire stations, away from other personnel and their families.

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