COVID-19 Information
What to know about Coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Symptoms of COVID-19:
COVID-19 usually causes mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives. These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Breathing difficulties
- Fever
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
To protect your health and the health of our community, please continue to follow these steps:
While there are currently no vaccines available to protect you against coronavirus infection, You can reduce your risk of infection by doing the following:
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- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer if when soap and water are not readily available
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Seek medical advice if you’re traveling to an affected area.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home and rest.
- Monitor your health for any signs or symptoms of illness (e.g. fever, coughing). If you have concerns, contact your healthcare professional and/or public health agency for guidance.
Please review these resources for additional guidance:
Be Prepared With These Safety Tips
If you haven’t already, get a flu shot. The flu shot not only reduces your risk of having to go to a doctor, it also helps prevent you or someone else getting the flu. Having two respiratory illnesses at once can drastically worsen outcomes.
Be sure you have non-perishable foods on hand in the event you need to stay home for 2 – 3 weeks. If needed, purchase things you would eat anyway and save yourself a few extra trips to the grocery store! Rice, beans, salsa, ramen, some sort of cooking oil, oatmeal, nuts and dried or canned fruits, and vegetables can be purchased at relatively little cost and take up fairly little space.
Check your medicine cabinet. Make sure you have all your prescriptions, and favorite cold, cough, stomach, and herbal remedies on hand. Avoiding the pharmacy will help keep you away from people who may be contagious.
Soap. Hand Sanitizers. Soap. Hand Sanitizers. (Repeat!) If there’s one thing you want to ensure you do frequently, wash your hands with soap and use hand sanitizer when soap is not available.
External Resources
- City of Sammamish COVID-19 Information
- LWSD COVID-19 Updates
- Issaquah School District COVID-19 Updates
- King County Public Health
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins
- Archdiocese of Seattle Update
- MQP Message on COVID-19