REMEMBER: If you feel sick or have cold- or flu-like symptoms,
GO HOME or STAY HOME. Take a COVID-19 test.
This COVID-19 update contains information to help you stay informed and safe.
King County Public Health COVID –19 Dashboard
Accurate data has been one of the cornerstones of our COVID-19 response, helping us inform policy decisions and identify communities most directly impacted by the virus. The latest metrics and trends can be found on the King County Public Health Dashboard.
King County Public Health Advice
Given an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19, King County Health officials recommend that everyone wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others in indoor spaces to protect against both acquiring and spreading these infections to others.
COVID-19 and BC
If you believe you were exposed to COVID-19:
If you test positive for COVID-19:
A Word About Masks at BC
As mentioned above, health experts are recommending that masks be worn in indoor spaces to protect against both acquiring and spreading these infections to others. It’s important to remember that we are a community at BC. We need to look out for each other. When it comes to COVID-19, there are those in our community and families who are more at risk than others.
You may find yourself in a situation at BC where you are asked to wear a mask. If you can wear a mask, please do so. It’s a small request, and your support will be appreciated. If you are meeting with someone who is already wearing a mask, consider putting on a mask or asking them if they would like you to wear a mask.
If you are asking someone to wear a mask, remember these suggestions:
Additional Tips
Additional information on the above topics can be found here.
Official State Information
Guidance about COVID-19 continues to evolve. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
As always – stay well,
The Flu Team
REMEMBER: If you feel sick or have cold- or flu-like symptoms, GO HOME or STAY HOME. Take a COVID-19 test.
Colleagues,
As of October 31, 2022, the Governor of Washington rescinded the Washington State higher education COVID emergency proclamations. The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) still requires us to notify employees who have been exposed in the workplace. This email will provide details on our notification procedures and other steps we will continue to take as a campus in regard to COVID-19.
Effective December 5th, 2022, the college will transition from individual notifications to campus-wide notifications for COVID exposures. Notification details:
This notification process change provides everyone on campus with information on where and when they may have been exposed to someone who tested positive and reduces the administrative impact.
Additional COVID-19 precautions and practices that will continue at Bellevue College:
One final note: data is indicating this will be a rough flu season. Get a flu shot! Stay home if you feel sick!
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
Nov. 29, 2022
This update contains information and resources so you can stay safe.
Remember – we’re all in this together!
OVERVIEW
While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses typically circulate during the fall and winter during what’s known as the flu season. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons varies, but flu activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although significant activity can last as late as May. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable.
Though it’s common to use the term “flu” to refer to a cold or other respiratory illness, the flu is much worse. It’s a highly contagious viral infection. The flu is unpredictable, and it can be severe, especially for the elderly, children, pregnant individuals, and those with certain health conditions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are hospitalized with the flu, and tens of thousands of people die.
The flu spreads easily from person to person through coughs and sneezes. Adults can infect others one day before they show symptoms and up to five days after they get sick. Children can spread the virus for ten or more days.
KING COUNTY COVID DASHBOARD
View the most recent data for King County. Data are updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before.
NEED TO KNOW
Flu Symptoms
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose.
· Muscle or body aches, chills
· Headaches
· Fatigue
· Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
Vaccinations
Everyone six months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine to prevent sickness, healthcare visits, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza. The flu vaccine is your best protection. Protection lasts throughout the flu season, which usually peaks in January or February and continues into the spring. Some children and adults may be eligible to receive nasal spray flu vaccine.
The Washington State Department of Health recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six-months and older, including pregnant and nursing people. If you are 65 or older, talk to your provider about flu vaccine and other important vaccines for your age group.
It takes two weeks for the vaccine to protect you from flu. The flu vaccine does not protect against coronavirus, colds, or other viruses that cause respiratory illness.
The flu vaccine keeps many people from getting the flu. Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get sick. If you do get the flu, the vaccine will help reduce the severity of your illness. It will also lower your chance of needing to go to the hospital.
Other Measures
In addition to getting vaccinated, wash hands often and cover your cough.
If You Get Sick
Review more information for people who are sick.
Monitoring at BC
The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to track local, state, and national health guidance as it determines the path forward for the college.
RESOURCES
Visit your local doctor’s office, pharmacy, or clinic event. Go to www.vaccinefinder.org or call the Help Me Grow Washington hotline at 1-800-322-2588 (language assistance available) to find a flu vaccine location near you.
Note: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can both be received in the same day, or even the same visit for convenience.
FLU NEWS
OFFICIAL STATE INFORMATION SOURCES
Information and follow-up guidance is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
· Washington State Department of Health
· Public Health Seattle and King County
Stay well,
The Flu Team
The situation in King County continues to evolve, so please check their website often for updates. Bellevue College is following federal, state and local guidance and will continue to keep the campus community up-to-date.
You can also stay informed by visiting the Washington State Department of Health website, and by subscribing to the Public Health Insider blog. The Washington State Dept. of Health also established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, or what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.