The novel coronavirus is a new virus strain spreading from person to person. It is considered to be a serious outbreak and city, county and state officials have declared a state of emergency.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is providing regular updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including emphasizing the importance of extra hygiene measures and staying home if you or your family members are sick or showing symptoms.  These precautions are similar to those for the flu. To protect yourself and others, you should follow these important health guidelines.

Prevent getting or spreading flu or coronavirus:

•  Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds, using warm water and plenty of soap, especially after touching shared objects such as door handles
• Avoid touching your face, eyes and nose
• Cover coughs and sneezes, using a tissue or your forearm, not your hands
• If soap and water are not available for hand washing, use hand sanitizer
• Consider home preparedness, and stocking up on extra groceries, medicines and other supplies that you may need if you have to be home for an extended period
• During this heightened coronavirus risk period avoid unnecessary physical contact with others, such as handshaking
• If you have questions or need guidance contact your health care provider

Public Health – Seattle & King County offers posters in English, Spanish, and multiple languages. 

If you or your family members are sick, or showing symptoms of the flu:

Ask yourself two questions:

1. Do you or a family member have an elevated temperature or fever?
2. Do you or a family member have other symptoms? A cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, diarrhea or vomiting?

If your answer is YES to both, you and your family members need to stay home. 

If you have symptoms, what should you do?

1. Stay home, drink plenty of fluids, and get rest. 
2. Protect the health of others by staying away from crowds, covering your cough and sneezes, washing your hands often
3. Stay home until you are well, and have been fever free for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medications).
4. If you aren’t getting better, have questions or need guidance contact your health care provider