+ How can I avoid getting COVID-19? How can I avoid giving it to someone else?

The best way to avoid getting COVID-19 is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines are free, readily available, safe and effective.

+ What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever or chills
• Muscle or body aches
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sneezing

+ What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Wear a mask when around other people, if able.

+ What do I do if my test comes back positive for COVID-19?

• Isolate yourself to a room in your home away from other household members for a minimum of 5 days, followed by strict mask usage for an additional 5 days. A room with an attached bathroom works best.
• Do not allow anyone to come into your home unless it is medically necessary
• Wear a MASK when around other people
• Do not share dishes, towels, or bedding with others
• Clean and disinfect all “high-touch” surfaces in the “sick room” and bathroom daily and ask another house member to clean and disinfect “high touch” surfaces in the remainder of the home
• Seek medical care outside the home as necessary but should call ahead *Those with high-risk conditions should be treated with an antibody infusion
• Anyone who lives in the household must quarantine for five days from their break in contact with the positive case, followed by strict mask usage for another five days. Quarantine means they cannot leave the home unless medically necessary. This includes not going to school, work, daycare, etc. If someone has completed their COVID vaccines at least two weeks prior and within the last six months for Pfizer or Moderna or last two months for Johnson & Johnson, or is fully boostered, they may not have to quarantine.
• You can be with others if: At least 5 days AND At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND *Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

+ What do I do if my test comes back negative for COVID-19?

• Even if you have a negative test, if you have been identified as a CONTACT of a positive, you should still quarantine for five days from last contact, followed by strict mask usage for an additional five days.
• Even if you have a negative test, you should wear a mask, physically distance, avoid crowds and indoor crowded places, wash your hands frequently, and monitor yourself for additional symptoms.
• You can be with others after (if you have NOT been identified as a contact) _At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and_Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving
• A single negative test does not mean you will remain negative. It is possible that you were very early in your infection when your sample was collected and that you could test positive later.

+ What early treatment for COVID-19 is available?

Paxlovid is the front-line treatment for COVID-19. It must be started within five days of symptoms appearing and is prescribed by a doctor. See your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic for more information.

+ Why should I wear a mask?

Please read through the CDC's considerations for wearing a mask.