Panic in the epicenter of the US coronavirus outbreak in Kirkland, Washington

Panic has descended upon the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the US as first responders go under quarantine, schools close and a church even refuses to give out Holy Communion.

The majority of cases appear to be linked to a nursing facility, the Life Care Center of Kirkland, in Washington, where about 50 residents and workers have reported feeling ill.

Nearly 30 firefighters and police officers in the city of 90,000 people have been placed under quarantine after they had been to the nursing facility to help transport patients to hospitals.

Dozens of schools were closed on Monday, including one community college that disinfected its campus after students visited the nursing home last week. 

It comes as health officials report that the number of coronavirus deaths has risen from two over the weekend to six on Monday – all of them in Washington.

Panic has descended upon Kirkland, Washington, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak linked to a nursing facility, the Life Care Center of Kirkland. Pictured: Healthcare workers transfer a patient on a stretcher to an ambulance at the Life Care Center, March 1

About 50 residents and workers are being tested - several confirmed - and there is fear the virus will spread to anyone who visited the building.

About 50 residents and workers are being tested – several confirmed – and there is fear the virus will spread to anyone who visited the building.

On Monday, health officials revealed that 103 people across the US have been infected with coronavirus and that six people, all in Washington state, had died

On Monday, health officials revealed that 103 people across the US have been infected with coronavirus and that six people, all in Washington state, had died 

Although Life Care Center, which has 108 residents and 180 staff members, has been closed to visitors, there is fear the disease will not only spread quickly among older residents but to anyone who stopped by the building. 

To control the spread of the virus, King County is currently moving to buy a hotel to house isolated patients.

Additionally, 25 Kirkland firefighters – one-quarter of the city’s force – and two police officers who were exposed to the virus at the facility are under quarantine.

They’ve not shown any symptoms but will need to be kept under close watch for the next 14 days.  

According to Kellie Stickney, a city of Kirkland spokesperson, the quarantine is ‘out of an abundance of caution.’  

Several elementary, middle and high schools in the Seattle area voluntarily closed on Monday and/or Tuesday.

Also shut down was Lake Washington Institute of Technology, which is closed for two days as campus is disinfected.

It’s not clear if the 16 nursing students and four faculty/staff members that visited the nursing home last week will need to go under quarantine.

‘The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff are top of mind as we work our way through this emergency,’ said Lake Washington president Amy Morrison said in a statement. 

‘Our faculty have been in contact with those students, as well as college administration. Currently, the college is awaiting guidance from King County Public Health in order to provide information and guidance to our faculty and students.’

Panic even reached a church that canceled Holy Communion on Sunday and banned handshakes and hugs among its congregation.

Staffers at Northshore Community Church wiped down door handles and urged anyone who didn’t feel well to stay home.

Twenty-five firefighters - one-quarter of the city's force, and two police officers are under quarantine after helping to transport patients to hospitals. Pictured: An ambulance transports a patient from the Life Care Center of Kirkland to a hospital

Twenty-five firefighters – one-quarter of the city’s force, and two police officers are under quarantine after helping to transport patients to hospitals. Pictured: An ambulance transports a patient from the Life Care Center of Kirkland to a hospital 

Northshore Community Church (pictured) refused to give out Holy Communion on Sunday and discouraged parishioners from hugging or shaking hands

Northshore Community Church (pictured) refused to give out Holy Communion on Sunday and discouraged parishioners from hugging or shaking hands

Several schools have closed, including Lake Washington Institute of Technology, which had nursing students visit the facility last week (above)

Several schools have closed, including Lake Washington Institute of Technology, which had nursing students visit the facility last week (above)

‘We are gathered together today amidst news that can make us anxious or fearful. I’m sure all of our hearts are thinking about that word “coronavirus,”‘ senior pastor Scott Scruggs said as he addressed the crowd, reported The Washington Post

‘We’re doing what we can and we want to invite you to do the same.’

At a press conference on Monday, public health officials in Washington say they now predict they will see more cases of coronavirus than of the flu. 

‘This disease will pose a significant challenge to the healthcare delivery system across the country and across the world,’ said Jeffrey Duchin, a public health officer for King County. 

Worldwide, more than 90,000 people have been infected and more than 3,000 people have died.

In the US, 92 people have been infected with the virus and six have died in Washington – five in King County, where Seattle is located, and on in Snahomish County.