King County is currently experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 infections. Please remember to stay home when you’re sick with COVID-19 or any common respiratory illness, including influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We value your work here, but it won’t help anyone if you spread your illness to your co-workers. If you are sick, please follow your agency’s sick leave request and approval protocols and stay home.

When you are sick, stay home and away from other people (including minimizing close contact with those in your home who are not sick) until:

1. You don’t have a fever (and you are no longer using medications for fever like Tylenol) for at least 24 hours, AND
2. Your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

When you go back to normal activities, take extra precautions, including wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask and physical distancing for five days when you will be around other people indoors. Wash your hands often and clean regularly.

If you develop a fever or have symptoms that are worse after returning to your normal activities, you should stay home and away from other people again until:

1. You don’t have a fever for at least 24 hours, AND
2. Your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

5 ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness:

1.  Wear a mask in crowded spaces. Put on a mask when you’re elbow-to-elbow with others.
2. Improve indoor ventilation by opening windows and doors and using air filtration devices.
3. Get tested promptly if you have symptoms and get treatment early.
4. Get vaccinated. Stay up to date with flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations.
5. Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash.

If you have questions about sick leave, please talk to your supervisor or HR Manager (employee access only). Thank you for helping to stop spread illness. Stay healthy!