Prevent respiratory viral illnesses by:

Staying up to date with flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations (if eligible) that protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

• COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are available at Health Division clinics. Walk-ins only, no appointment needed. 
• Call your health care provider or local pharmacy to schedule a RSV vaccine appointment.

Practice good hygiene.

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, or touching common surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, and telephones Use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water aren't available.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces

Taking steps for cleaner air like bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

If you develop a respiratory virus:

• Stay home and away from others.
• Use precautions to prevent spreading the illness like wearing a mask.
• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

For people with respiratory viral illnesses such as COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, they can return to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, has been gone for at least 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. Once people resume normal activities, it's recommended to take additional prevention steps for the next five days.

People with certain risk factors for severe respiratory virus illness are:

• Older adults
• Younger children
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with disabilities
• Pregnant people

Individuals at high risk need to exercise caution from respiratory viral illnesses.

• Use soap and running water.
• Rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds.
• Wash all surfaces, including:

1. Backs of hands
2. Wrists
3. Between fingers
4. Under fingernails

• Rinse well.
• Dry hands with a paper towel.
• Turn off the water using a paper towel instead of bare hands.

For additional information about cleanliness and to avoid spreading illness, please visit our Hand Washing web page