Updated Guidance for COVID-19 and Respiratory Illness Season

If you have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause (such as allergies) or test positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory virus, follow CDC guidance for staying home and away from others; this includes people you live with who are not sick.

• Get tested: We recommend getting tested for COVID-19 if symptoms develop. Tests are available at each of our offices and in our kiosk at the Colville office, at 240 E Dominion Street.
• In late September 2024, all U.S. households may order up to four (4) additional COVID-19 test kits at no charge, at www.COVIDTests.gov.

You can go back to your normal activities when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

• Emergency situations: Seek emergency medical care if anyone experiences warning signs such as trouble breathing or chest pain.

You can tell your symptoms are improving when you start to feel better and you feel well enough to fully participate in your activities, such as learning in a classroom or completing tasks at work. A respiratory virus infection can have many types of symptoms, some of which can last beyond when someone is contagious (able to spread the virus), such as a lingering cough. Having a single symptom or a combination of symptoms is not as important as the overall sense of feeling better and the ability to resume activities.

When you go back to your normal activities, wear a mask and take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking steps to improve air flow and filtration, practicing good hand hygiene, cleaning regularly, physical distancing, and testing when you will be around other people indoors. You may still be contagious with a respiratory virus after returning to your normal activities, so it is important to take additional precautions.

• People with COVID-19 are often contagious for 5-10 days after their illness begins.
• People with flu may be contagious for up to 5-7 days after their illness begins.
• People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 days after their illness begins.
• If symptoms do not improve or worsen, consider testing again or speaking with a healthcare provider.

Some people, such as those with a weakened immune system, can be contagious with a respiratory virus for longer periods of time.

If there is an outbreak in a setting such as a workplace or congregate housing, it may be necessary to isolate for a specific period of time longer than you would otherwise to help stop the spread of COVID-19 or another respiratory virus. The Chewelah School District will be reaching out to our local health jurisdiction Northeast  Tri County Health, if there is an outbreak.