COVID-19
Explore the WA DOH Respiratory Illness dashboard for the latest data on COVID-19 disease monitoring in Washington state. The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Respiratory Illness Dashboard is updated each Wednesday by noon.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses have caused more severe illness, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Our guidance continues to be that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant people, should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus strain that was not identified in humans before December 2019. COVID-19 is a public health concern because it is a novel virus, and it has the potential to cause severe illness in some people. We now know that COVID-19 is here to stay. It is important to understand how best to protect ourselves, loved ones, and others in our community. Getting vaccinated, boosted, getting tested and staying home if you are sick or exposed, and wearing a mask in crowds are some of the best tools you can utilize for prevention. Learn more below!
Quick Links:
- What To Do When You Are Sick With COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus (WA DOH) '
- Respiratory Virus Illness Guidance One-Pager (WA DOH)
COVID-19 Vaccine Cost Coverage:
- You're Covered Fact Sheet (covidvaccineproject.org)
- How are COVID-19 vaccines covered by insurance? (covidvaccineproject.org)
Viral Respiratory Illness Guidance Resource & Summary Sheets:
- Resource & Summary Sheet - General Public (TC)
- Resource & Summary Sheet - Shelters & Congregate Settings (TC)
- Resource & Summary Sheet - School & Childcare Setting (TC)
- Resource & Summary Sheet - Healthcare Settings (TC)
Printable Flyers:
Community Resources
For Workers and Workplaces:
- Airborne Respiratory Viruses (WA L&I)
- COVID-19 Information (WA L&I)
- COVID-19 Information (OSHA)
| 12/09/2022 | Local health officers and healthcare leaders recommend wearing masks indoors |
| 10/24/2022 | Statement on COVID-19 restrictions in Thurston County Correctional Facilities from Kurt Hardin, Interim Director |
| 06/24/2022 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 05/20/2022 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 04/25/2022 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 03/11/2022 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 02/10/2022 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 12/23/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 12/07/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 08/25/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek Spanish Vietnamese |
| 08/13/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek Spanish Vietnamese |
| 07/23/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek Spanish Vietnamese |
| 07/01/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek Spanish Vietnamese |
| 06/18/2021 | Letter to the Community from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek Spanish Vietnamese |
| 06/2021 - 03/2020 |
To review Letters to the Community from 03/2020 - 06/2021, from Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, please submit a request via the COVID-19 Secure Email Portal. |
There are vaccines available for COVID-19. To find locations offering the COVID-19 vaccine near you, visit vaccines.gov
Thurston County COVID-19 Vaccine Locations:
COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheets for Recipients (CDC)
COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines are available at local pharmacies and vaccine providers. It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant people, stay up-to-date with the current COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. There are different recommendations if you are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Immunocompromised people are at higher risk of severe illness, which is why vaccination is especially important for this group.
COVID-19 Vaccine Cost Coverage:
- The vaccine remains covered by most private insurers, Apple Health, and Washington’s Adult Vaccine and Childhood Vaccine Programs, removing barriers and helping people stay healthy.
- You're Covered Fact Sheet (covidvaccineproject.org)
- How are COVID-19 Vaccines covered by insurance? (covidvaccineproject.org)
Tools for Vaccine Patients
Schools & Childcare
2023-2024 School Year
| 08/09/2023 | Letter to Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
2022-2023 School Year
| 11/01/2022 | Letter to Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
2021-2022 School Year
| 03/09/2022 | Letter to Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 12/31/2021 | Letter to Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 12/17/2021 | Letter to Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
| 08/31/2021 | Letter to Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools from Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek |
2020-2021 School Year
Symptoms, Testing, & Care
COVID-19 tests are available for purchase throughout the county at pharmacies, stores, or online. To obtain a test, contact your healthcare provider or visit a local pharmacy
- Testing for COVID-19 (WA DOH)
- COVID-19 Tests: What does it mean for me? (WA DOH)
- Testing for COVID-19 | COVID-19 (CDC)
- Diagnostic (Viral) Testing Information (WA DOH)
Test and Go Kiosk
COVID-19 is a virus that is spread when an infected person breathes out droplets that contain the virus, from person-to-person. (CDC)
- Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms. Being exposed via close contacts relates to people who are in close contact with each other, meaning being within 6 feet of one another for at least 15 minutes.
- Through respiratory droplets produced when someone infected with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly can be inhaled.
- COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not currently showing symptoms.
- Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Some people infected with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or do not show symptoms. (CDC)
- If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, we encourage you to talk to your health care provider about being tested.
You can take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by doing the following things:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, often.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Contact our Disease Control and Prevention division at 360-867-2610 or email at PHSS_DCP_CDTeam@Thurstoncounty.onmicrosoft.com if you have additional questions.