Most School COVID Mitigation Requirements Relaxed
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released new guidelines for schools across the state, effective March 12, 2022. The new guidance is similar to national CDC guidance and comes at a time when we are seeing declines in COVID-19 cases across our region, state, and nation. The guidance includes both required COVID mitigation measures as well as suggested ones.
Here is a summary of some of the major changes:
- A new symptom decision tree was released to help visually outline changes.
- Many of the state-required COVID prevention measures that have been in place will become optional instead of required. This includes things like general masking and physical distancing. Schools and organizations are allowed to implement more robust prevention measures, if necessary.
- People who have COVID symptoms must continue to stay home and away from others, and get tested. This is required regardless of whether someone is vaccinated or not.
- Schools must still have a general process in place to notify groups of people of a positive COVID case, but individual contact tracing and notification of individual close contacts will no longer be required, unless the person exposed is considered high-risk for COVID infection.
- Schools are still required to offer access to COVID testing at school for students and staff.
The guidance changes signal a transition to endemic phase, where we learn to live with the virus as part of our daily lives.
Washington State Indoor Mask Requirements
Masks won’t go away altogether. They are currently still required in health care settings such as hospitals, long term care settings, and correctional facilities.
The statewide mask requirements for most indoor settings expired March 12. There are some exceptions to protect medically vulnerable people or to comply with federal requirements.
Vaccine Information
COVID-19 vaccine is available at many local pharmacies and medical offices. If you have a health care provider, check to see if they’re providing COVID-19 vaccinations.
To find a location near you offering COVID-19 vaccine:
- Search on VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov
- Search on VaccineFinder.org
- Call 833.VAX.HELP
- Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX)
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.
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:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
Prevention:
There are simple, preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect
- Monitor Your Health Daily
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people
- Monitor your symptoms
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- If you are sick wear a cloth covering over your nose and mouth
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
COVID-19 Resources
Official Health Resources
The Washington State DOH has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
For up-to-date news and information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the following websites:
Vaccine Resources
- How does a Vaccine Work?
- Washington State’s Vaccination Plan
- Washington’s Vaccine Phases
- When am I Eligible?
- Vaccine locations
- COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for School Employees
Washington State
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) Department of Health
- Washington State Coronavirus Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
County Public Health Department Resources
- Clark County Department of Health
- Cowlitz County Health & Human Services
- Klickitat County Public Health
- Pacific County Health & Human Services
- Skamania County Community Heath
- Wahkiakum County Public Health & Human Services
Oregon State Resources
District Specific Information
The following districts have information posted on their websites:
- Battle Ground
- Camas
- Castle Rock
- Evergreen
- Glenwood
- Green Mountain
- Hockinson
- Kalama
- Kelso
- La Center
- Lyle
- Mill A
- Mt. Pleasant
- Ridgefield
- Skamania
- Stevenson-Carson
- Toutle Lake
- Trout Lake
- Vancouver
- Washington School for the Deaf
- Washougal
- White Salmon Valley
- Woodland
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