2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19)
On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health announced the first case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States in Washington State.
Learn more about the coronavirus from Washington State’s official COVID-19 website. Maintained by the state Joint Information Center.
Washington Needs Health Practitioners for the COVID-19 State of Emergency
Health professionals licensed in other states may practice in Washington by registering through the emergency volunteer health practitioner process or by applying for a WA license, which may result in the department issuing a temporary practice permit.
Contact our Call Center
The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, or how the virus is spread, please call 1-800-525-0127. Phone lines are currently staffed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m, seven days a week. Please note that this call center can not access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider.
Symptoms and Testing
What should I do if I have symptoms or have been exposed?
- Call your healthcare provider, or call before going to the emergency room.
- We have guidance available for people who have or think they may have COVID-19:
- What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (PDF)
- What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (PDF)
- What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (PDF)
- You can also use the online Coronavirus Assessment Tool developed by Providence and Microsoft.
How do I get tested?
- If you have symptoms, call your healthcare provider.
- Learn more about testing.
Current Situation in Washington
What’s the current risk?
The risk posed by a virus outbreak depends on factors including how well it spreads between people, the severity of the illness it causes, and the medical or other measures we have to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccine or treatment medications).
- COVID-19 is spreading in several communities in Washington, the risk of exposure is increasing for people who live in our state.
- Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
- Those who have had close contact with persons with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
- Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring are at elevated risk of exposure.
Our knowledge of COVID-19 is still rapidly evolving. The risk assessment will be updated as needed.
