COVID-19-related emergency room visits in King County remain below the alert threshold, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC). Health officials use the percentage of emergency department visits diagnosed with respiratory viruses as a key indicator of community transmission levels. While the numbers are currently stable, data from the department show a rise in cases since March 2025, with the largest increase recorded in August. Notably, emergency visits among children ages 0–4 have also increased.
Public Health Officer Dr. Sandra Valenciano urged residents to remain vigilant, especially as the country experiences shifts in vaccine policy and availability.
“This has been an unusual year in terms of what’s going on right now with vaccines, especially related to COVID-19 vaccine,” said Valenciano. “I think it’s important that we talk about COVID-19 but also talk about other respiratory illnesses like influenza and RSV.”…