David Somers
County Executive
Snohomish County Executive Office
(425) 388-3460
FAX (425) 388-3434
MS #407
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Everett, WA 98201-4046
LOCAL DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY SNOHOMISH COUNTY
WHEREAS, on January 21, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health confirmed the first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States in Snohomish County, Washington, and the Snohomish Health District and the Washington State Department of Health have since worked to identify, contact, monitor and test others in Snohomish County potentially exposed to COVID-19 in coordination with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and
WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person; and
WHEREAS, the CDC identifies the potential public health threat posed by COVID- 19 both globally and in the United States as "very high," and has advised that person-to person spread of COVID-19 will continue to occur globally, including within the United States and Snohomish County; and
WHEREAS, the CDC currently indicates there are over 90,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with multiple cases in the United States, and the Washington State Department of Health confirmed localized person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in Washington State, significantly increasing the risk of exposure and infection to Washington State’s general public creating an extreme public health risk that may spread quickly; and
WHEREAS, several cases of COVID-19 already exist in Snohomish County, COVID-19 already caused the death of one Snohomish County resident, and the effects of its extreme risk of person-to-person transmission throughout Snohomish County may significantly impact the life and health of our people, as well as our economy, and is a public health disaster that affects life, health, property or the public peace; and
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2020, the Snohomish Health District activated its District Operations Center to manage their response to the Nation’s first case of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency for COVID-19, beginning January 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Washington State Governor Jay lnslee proclaimed a public health emergency for COVID-19, beginning February 29, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2020, the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, Snohomish County Emergency Coordination Center, began coordinating information and resources across county government to support the Snohomish Health District in alleviating the impacts to people, property, and infrastructure, and is assessing the magnitude and long-term effects of the incident with the Snohomish Health District; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, by Health Officer’s Order No. 20-056, the Snohomish County Health Officer proclaimed a countywide public health emergency for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, there is an emergency present which necessitates activation of the Snohomish County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and utilization of emergency powers granted pursuant to chapter 38.52 RCW and SCC 2.36;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED BY THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVE SOMERS:
SECTION 1
It is hereby declared under sec 2.36.030(2)(e) and RCW 38.52.020(1)(b) that a State of Emergency exists in Snohomish County, as a result of the aforementioned conditions, which significantly impacts the life and health of our residents, the economy of Snohomish County, and is a disaster that affects life, health, property, or the public peace.
SECTION 2
I hereby direct designated county departments under this proclamation and those designated within the Snohomish County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to take actions deemed necessary to otherwise mitigate and prevent impacts and potential impacts upon private property and publicly owned infrastructure, including any necessary actions needed to obtain emergency permitting through municipal, county, state or federal agencies.
SECTION 3
In order to prepare for, prevent and respond to this emergency, pursuant to SCC 3.04.200, RCW 36.40.180, RCW 38.52.070(2), and RCW 39.04.280(3), the requirements of competitive bidding and public notice are hereby waived with reference to any contract relating to the county’s lease or purchase of supplies, equipment, personal services or public works as defined by RCW 39.04.010, or to any contract for the selection and award of professional and/or technical consultant contracts. Each designated department is hereby authorized to exercise the powers vested in this proclamation in light of the demands of a dangerous and escalating emergency situation without regard to time consuming procedures and formalities otherwise normally prescribed by law (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements).
SECTION 4
A copy of this declaration, the extent practicable, shall be posted at the County’s regular locations for official notices and shall be made available to members of the local news media and the general public.
DATED this 4th day of March, 2020
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dave Somers
County Executive