Coronavirus Facts and Information

Covid-19 Vaccination Roadmap

On your journey to get your free vaccine for COVID-19, the ways to sign up for an appointment are all over the map. These are some options to help guide you when it’s your turn.

More students learning in person

School districts across Washington State are safely bringing kids back into classrooms for in-person learning. In fact, all school districts across Southwest Washington have at least some of their students learning in person. Schools continue to follow the latest Washington State Department of Health (DOH) guidance for reopening schools safely, which includes updated guidance allowing for three feet of physical distance between students in classroom settings.

This guidance aligns with CDC recommendations and still recommends six feet of physical distance in certain circumstances:

• Between staff in the school building and between adults and students.
• For all staff and students:
  • In common areas, such as auditoriums.
  • When masks can’t be worn, such as when eating.
  • During activities when increased exhalation occurs, like singing, shouting, band practice, or physical education. These activities should be moved outdoors or to large, well-ventilated spaces whenever possible.

These details in the guidance are very important because they require schools to do extra planning to keep everyone safe, which takes time.

While schools should follow school guidance, regardless of the phase of reopening a county may be in, CDC and DOH recommend that those counties experiencing high COVID activity should group (cohort) students in middle and high school and maintain at least three feet of distance between students or at least six feet of physical distance between students if cohorting is not possible.

CDC defines high community transmission as COVID-19 case rate of greater than 200 cases per 100,000 population over 14 days or test positivity is greater than 10%. Community case rates and test positivity are available by county on the Governor’s Risk Assessment Dashboard and DOH Data Dashboard.

Individual school district reopening plans vary based on their size and needs. Be sure to check with your school district for specific plans.

School Reopening Data

Data provided by OSPI:

Facts about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Official sources of information are the best way to stay grounded in fact. Online resources such as coronavirus.wa.gov, the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are great resources.
• Keep six feet away from others, wear a cloth face covering, wash your hands, and cover coughs and sneezes. If you feel symptoms of COVID-19, get tested.
• Wearing a mask in public places where you are unable to maintain physical distancing is mandatory.

Resources

Free Wi-Fi Map

In response to the impact of COVID-19, drive-in Wi-Fi hotspots provide free, temporary emergency internet access for Washingtonians who don’t have broadband service at their homes. Commerce has a Wi-Fi mapping tool on its website.

Washington 211 COVID-19 Call Center

Do you need information or answers to your questions and concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You can call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

Do you need support due to stress from COVID-19?

Call Washington Listens, a line that provides nonclinical support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19. People who call Washington Listens will speak to a support specialist and receive information and connection to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous and no identifying information is maintained. People who staff Washington Listens will receive basic training needed to provide support to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reach Washington Listens, call 1-833-681-0211. Read the Washington Listens fact sheet.

Face Coverings

Wearing a face covering is difficult, especially for youngsters, but it is an important health precaution. Wearing a face covering plus washing your hands and maintaining physical distancing will help us to be able to return students to the classroom sooner. Properly wearing a mask is easy. Wash your hands before putting on the mask. Be sure it covers the nose and mouth and is secured under the chin. Make sure you can breathe easily and if breathing becomes hard, the mask should be easy to remove. Masks should be worn by kids over age two.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Symptoms:

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19 and the best prevention is to avoid being exposed to the virus in the first place.

Prevention: