Washington Department of Health Guidelines for COVID-19

The Department of Health (DOH) advises taking the same preventative measures as those for the prevention of viruses during the regular cold and flu season, with the following guidelines:

The most important thing is to stay home if you are sick with symptoms such as sore throat, dry cough, fever and shortness of breath.

•Proper hand washing is essential. People need to wash their hands, including the back of the hands and between the fingers, for 20 seconds.

•Use alcohol-based sanitizers if soap and water are not readily available.

•Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.

•Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.

•Take care of overall health, staying current on vaccinations. Eat well, and exercise.

Consult the Center for Disease Control and Prevention travel website at: cdc.gov/COVID-19 for travel advisories and restrictions, and take steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside the U.S.

Have 72 hours-worth of supplies on hand. This would include food and prescription medications.

People with cold or flu symptoms are urged to avoid large gatherings, avoid using public transportation, maintain a social distance of six feet, avoid sharing household items, like dishes, towels or bedding, and clean all commonly contacted surfaces, with ten parts water to one-part household bleach. People should also isolate themselves at home, and treat the symptoms with ibuprofen and hydration.