OLYMPIA, Wash.-The Washington State Department of Health has updated its guidance, streamlining recommendations for COVID and other respiratory illnesses.
“This updated respiratory virus isolation guidance reflects that we’re in a better place now in the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer, DOH.
The Department of Health’s updates are similar to those recently released by the CDC, however, they provide additional recommendations on how to prevent spreading respiratory illnesses after someone becomes infected, as well as how to protect people with weakened immune systems and others at higher risk of severe illness.
According to a press release on the new guidance, DOH recommends people return to normal activities when their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours, a shift from the previous recommendation that people isolate for five days.
DOH recommends taking extra precautions during the first five days of returning to normal activities after COVID-19, flu, RSV, or other respiratory viruses.
According to the DOH, the extra precautions should include, wearing a mask, taking steps to improve air flow and filtration, frequent hand washing, regular cleaning, physical distancing, and, if possible, testing when you will be around other people indoors.
The new, streamlined guidelines also provide recommendations for preventing the spread of respiratory illness, including staying away from high-risk people for 10-days after symptoms start or until testing negative for COVID.
“While life is returning to normal in many ways, we must remember that for many in our community with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems, respiratory virus infections such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV remain a deadly threat,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett.
