Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

What are we doing?

Health care providers notify Cowlitz County Health & Human Services after a person tests positive for COVID-19. We then call the sick person to see how they're doing. We ask them to stay home until they're no longer considered contagious and to share some information with us, including:

•  If they have symptoms
•  If they live or work in a high-risk setting (such as a skilled nursing facility, adult living facility, hospital, jail, homeless shelter, food processing facility, large manufacturing facility, or first responder/law enforcement agency)
•  When their symptoms started

We ask COVID-19 patients who live or work in high-risk settings who they may have been in close contact with while they were contagious. Close contacts are then asked stay home and/or away from others for 14 days so if they develop COVID-19, they don’t get others sick. We may also work with the employer or facility to do additional contact tracing and notification. 

For COVID-19 patients who work in or attend in-person K-12 learning, we work with school leaders to notify close contacts and ask them to stay home and/or away from others for 14 days. Staying home the whole time is important because people can spread COVID-19 before they know they're sick. 

All other COVID-19 patients are referred to our Toolkit for Positive Cases. They are asked to notify people close to them who may have been exposed and ask them to stay home and/or away from others for 14 days. They can share our Toolkit for Close Contacts with those who may have been exposed.

People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to quarantine, but should monitor for symptoms 14 days after their last known exposure. Someone is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after getting their second dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 2 weeks after getting the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Face Coverings

Masks are an effective way to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. They are required statewide in public indoor settings for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. They are also recommended in crowded public outdoor settings. Learn more about statewide mask requirements and recommendations here: https://bit.ly/3jg5jLs. Find out how to choose a mask that offers the best protection here: https://bit.ly/2WqbcwV.

Additional Guidance
•  What to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19: (English), (Spanish), (Russian)
• What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19: (English), (Spanish), (Russian)
• What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been around anyone diagnosed with COVID-19: (English), (Spanish), (Russian)
• Recommended guidance for daily COVID-19 screening of employees and visitors: (English), (Spanish), (Russian)
•  Interim guidance for implementing safety practices for critical infrastructure workers who may have had exposure to a person with suspected or con­firmed COVID-19: (English)

Protect Yourself

Everyday practices to prevent colds, influenza and other respiratory illnesses can also protect people against coronaviruses, including COVID-19. The state Department of Health recommends people take the following actions to keep themselves healthy:

• Find a COVID-19 vaccine
• Wear a face mask
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol
• Practice social distancing, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
• Stay home and away from others when sick
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
•  Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched