Press Release
Public Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Weekly Update 2 of 2

Kittitas County, WA - 03/06/2020 - The Kittitas County Public Health Department is always working to prevent or limit the spread of disease. This weekly update will address the rapid changes that are occurring.

What do you mean by rapid changes?
When a disease is new, there is not always a way to test for the illness or to treat the illness with medicine. One big change that is recent is that there are more places that can test for COVID-19. This means that more testing is occurring. 
 
How many people are under investigation?
We may now notify the public of testing only if we get a positive result. The number of people under investigation and getting tested is changing rapidly. We still monitor the situation, but we won’t be releasing any testing results unless it is positive.
 
Should I get tested for COVID-19?
If you are concerned you should call your primary care provider or nurse line.  Your healthcare provider will help you determine if testing for COVID-19 should occur. Please call ahead before visiting urgent care or provider’s office if you are experiencing influenza-like illness.
 
Now I am seeing events being canceled or schools closing in other places.  Why?
Other counties have people with confirmed COVID-19.  How a county is responding can change based on how much illness is in their area.  Sometimes, agencies decide to cancel or close without the recommendation of the local public health jurisdiction.
 
Has anything changed with Kittitas County’s recommendation?
Our recommendations of handwashing, covering your cough, and staying home when you are sick are the same.  We are in the green zone of how we fight outbreaks without medicine (attached).  This could change at any time and we will notify the public if any changes occur.

 

• COVID-19 weekly update 2 of 2.pdf
• non-pharmaceutical interventions.pdf

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515

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