Spokane Regional Health District's Latest Update on COVID-19

Good morning –

Please accept our apologies for all the confusion yesterday; information changed very quickly. We will schedule our conference call updates for Tuesdays and Fridays at 4:00 pm going forward.

This morning, there is a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. in SRHD’s auditorium. Dr. Bob Lutz will address the media on new recommended guidance for events and gatherings as well as for schools. It will be live-streamed on our Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/spokanehealth/.

The community action most useful for slowing the COVID-19 bell curve is “social distancing” in schools, workplaces, events, meetings, and places where people gather. By increasing distance to at least six feet between people when possible, you reduce the person-to-person spread of infection. Social distancing can also be accomplished by discontinuing large gatherings and events.

Dr. Lutz will recommend the following guidance, starting today at 5 p.m.:

• The cancelling or postponing of large community events and gatherings in excess of 250 people for at least 30 days. This includes sporting events, concerts, festivals, conferences, places of worship, and other settings where people gather.
• Additionally, we recommend cancelling any gathering
  • where indoor social distancing is not possible
  • Regional events where attendees come from multiple locations from outside of the area
  • Where vulnerable populations would be the majority of attendees

• Similarly for schools. We are not recommending the closing of schools, but we are recommending, starting Monday, the cancelling or postponement of large gatherings such as assemblies, field trips, sporting and performance events, and club activities for at least 30 days.

• In addition, we advise schools to distance students from one another as much as possible. Incorporate regular hand washing into their daily activities. Encourage them to cough and sneeze into a tissue or their sleeve. Communicate with parents the importance to keep their children home if they are sick – especially if they have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19
• And, encourage staff and faculty to stay home if they are sick as well.

• Consistent with Governor Inslee’s guidance yesterday, we advise schools to enhance social distancing of students from one another as much as possible. Schools should also be looking at how to modify how they provide meals to their students, remembering that for many in our community, school serves as their primary source of nutrition. And superintendents and administrators should consider providing no cost childcare to families, and to support students experiencing homelessness.
  • Incorporate regular hand washing into their daily activities. Encourage them to cough and sneeze into a tissue or their sleeve. Communicate with parents the importance to keep their children home if they are sick – especially if they have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19
  • And, encourage staff and faculty to stay home if they are sick as well.

• This is an evolving situation. We will discuss daily what further actions need to be taken as the virus progresses in our community.

• For individuals, continue to follow the guidance we have shared through the media and that is available at SRHD.org.

• Stay home when you are sick. Staying home when ill prevents the spread of infections to others.
• Use good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene in all community settings, including homes, childcare facilities, schools, workplaces and other places where people gather. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and put the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60-95% alcohol) if you can’t wash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfectfrequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• Have a plan in place for the event of school closures. Talk with your employer about working from home if you can.
• Prepare yourself and for family for the possibility of contracting COVID-19. Read the guidance on SRHD.org that addresses the questions:
  • What to do if you have been exposed to COVID-19
  • What to do if you are concerned you have COVID-19
  • What do if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19

These recommendations will change as the situation with COVID-19 becomes more prevalent in Spokane County. We should expect for these recommendations to evolve into strict requirements. We are working with community partners to assess Spokane County’s status with the COVID-19 pandemic daily. We will monitor conditions and update guidance accordingly.

Disease Prevention & Response | Spokane Regional Health District

509-324-1442 phone | 509-324-3623 fax | dpr_web@srhd.org

www.srhd.org

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