Washington State Department of Health Releases New Respiratory Illness Guidelines
Please be advised that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has announced updated guidance for what to do when someone is sick with COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses. The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health recommends following the DOH guidelines whenever possible.
These new guidelines are not intended to be applied to health care settings or settings where the population is at high risk, like long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, etc. Washington residents are still asked to follow any local health jurisdiction, workplace, business, or school policies that may provide more protective guidance specific to their setting or community.
While similar to recent updates announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DOH’s new guidelines offer additional recommendations on how to prevent spreading respiratory illnesses as well as how to protect people living and working in certain non-healthcare congregate settings and people at higher risk of severe illness.
Press Release | Washington Department of Health
 |
 |