King County readies new quarantine sites for COVID-19 cases

A parking lot down the street from Bellevue’s Eastgate Transit Center is currently surrounded by chicken wire fencing and blackberry brambles.

It’s littered with metal barrels.

But, within about a week, this parking lot will have a tent with flooring and heating. It's where people who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 can stay.

About 10 minutes away, King County officials are preparing a motel in Issaquah. The county recently leased the motel and will use it as a quarantine site.

King County leases Issaquah hotel, plans for more quarantine sites

Right now, it’s an active Holiday Inn, complete with front desk staff, guests, and a cheery breakfast room. It stands across the street from a Michael’s hobby shop, a PCC, and a bubble tea shop.

The county has not yet said how long it will take to turn this hotel into a quarantine facility. An employee at the front desk isn’t sure what will happen to his job.

King County has also not yet said how many people each site will be able to house or how much money setting up these quarantine sites will cost.