Text messages reveal contamination concerns at care facility

KING COUNTY, Wash. — Many families who have lost people they love during the coronavirus outbreak at Life Care Center in Kirkland have been very critical of the staff, saying they didn't handle the outbreak with life and death urgency.

Now we are hearing from workers from another Life Care facility in Federal Way, owned by the same corporation, who are telling KIRO 7 the same thing.

They say they were recruited to work at the Kirkland facility where bonus checks were offered to work at the embattled facility, a building where 16 of 19 coronavirus deaths have been linked to the biggest outbreak known in North America.

Workers at the Federal Way Hallmark Manor were sent text messages by nursing supervisors who downplayed the coronavirus situation.

One message read: “Hello everyone - Please know that the situation in Kirkland is being exploited by the media. It is important to remain calm. You are healthcare professionals, and this is no different than if we had a flu outbreak.”

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