Contact tracers face significant challenges as COVID-19 cases rise in King County and Seattle Contact tracers face significant challenges as COVID-19 cases rise in King County and Seattle Officials with Public Health Seattle King County say they are seeing so many positive COVID-19 cases they can no longer notify everyone through phone calls. SEATTLE - High numbers of positive COVID-19 cases are creating challenges for local health officials. Officials with Public Health Seattle King County say they are seeing so many positive COVID-19 cases they can no longer notify everyone through phone calls. Since November, numbers show a steady increase in COVID-19 cases in Seattle and King County.