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Man Walks Away From Kent Coronavirus Quarantine Motel.

King County officials said a man who checked into the Kent quarantine motel left the facility before his test results returned.

KENT, WA — King County officials announced a change to procedure Friday morning after a man left a voluntary quarantine site while he was still awaiting test results for the new coronavirus.

According to a news release, the man, who was experiencing homelessness, voluntarily checked into a Kent motel being used as a supplemental quarantine facility on Thursday. Officials said he ignored instructions from a security guard and left the motel at 7:30 a.m. before entering a convenience store and shoplifting items. According to the county, he then boarded a northbound King County Metro bus, which was later taken out of service for deep cleaning.

In a social media post on the city's Facebook page, Mayor Dana Ralph said the incident highlighted the need for better protections at the facility.

"We realize we have a role to play in this crisis but we have asked repeatedly for actual security, real fencing and safety measures put in place for the general public and the patients at the facility," Ralph wrote.

Ralph immediately raised concerns over the motel's use after King County purchased the former Econo Lodge earlier this month. The city sought a temporary restraining order from a judge, which was denied.

County officials said the man was only the second person to have used the motel to date. An earlier patient tested negative for COVID-19 and left the site properly.

As a result of this week's incident, the county said it will shift the Kent motel and the White Center modular units to "help people who do not need supportive social services."

County officials said they will work to identify and staff additional sites for those with behavioral health needs.

"Public Health Seattle & King County expects that the vast majority of residents who are infected or who have symptoms will successfully isolate in their own homes," officials wrote. "King County does not have a mandatory quarantine in place."

https://patch.com/washington/seattle/man-walks-away-kent-coronavirus-quarantine-motel