COVID-19
COVID-19 Updated Guidance
On Friday, March 1st, the CDC announced a change to COVID-19 guidance for the general public. These changes streamline guidance to align with other respiratory diseases. This guidance does not apply to long-term care facilities. This updated guidance does apply to correctional facilities, but does not apply when providing healthcare. Please refer to https://wInterim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-COV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-COV-2
If you are sick, stay home. Once you are feeling better, and are fever-free for at least 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medicine), you can go around others, but should take additional precautions for 5 days. Precautions include:
- Taking more steps for cleaner air,
- Enhancing hygiene practices (washing hands, covering your cough),
- Wearing a well-fitting mask,
- Keeping a distance from others, and/or
- Getting testing to inform your actions to prevent spread to others.
If you have no symptoms but tested positive for a common seasonal respiratory virus (COVID-19, flu, etc.), then please take precautions such as masking, enhanced hygiene practices, social distancing for the next 5 days after the positive test.
Here is a link to FAQs: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/faq.html
Here is a link to the guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/background/index.html#updated
Vaccine InformationCOVID-19 Vaccine Information as of 1/18/2024:
COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots are available now and are an important part of protecting Boone County residents against currently circulating virus variants.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered safely during the same appointment. More information can be found on the CDC’s page HERE.
This year, where you get the updated COVID-19 vaccine may be different than prior years because of the end of the federal public health emergency this spring and the commercialization of the vaccine.
We are starting to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccine on a walk-in basis on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM, only for those who do not have health insurance, through the Bridge Access Program.
We are starting to offer flu vaccines as a walk-in basis on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM. Please bring your insurance card if you have one. Free flu vaccines are available only for those who do NOT have health insurance.
Later this year, those without insurance may be able to go to a pharmacy to get vaccinated through a federal initiative called the Bridge Access Program.
For those with private health insurance or Medicaid/Medicare, the best option will be to go to a pharmacy or doctor’s office to get your updated COVID-19 vaccine. Go to https://www.vaccines.gov/ (English) or https://www.vacunas.gov/ (Spanish) to find a vaccine near you. Be sure to bring your insurance card, as the provider will need to submit a claim to your insurer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Las vacunas de COVID-19 y contra la gripe ya están disponibles y son una parte importante para proteger a los residentes del Condado de Boone contra las variantes del virus que circulan actualmente.
Los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) señalan que tanto la vacuna contra la gripe como la vacuna contra COVID-19 pueden administrarse de forma segura durante la misma cita. Puede encontrar más información en la página del CDC AQUÍ.
Este año, el lugar donde se administra la vacuna de COVID-19 actualizada puede ser diferente al de años anteriores debido al fin de la emergencia de salud pública federal esta primavera y a la comercialización de la vacuna.
Estamos empezando a ofrecer la vacuna actualizada de COVID-19 sin cita previa los miercoles de 1:00pm a 4:00pm, sólo para las personas que no tienen seguro de salud, a través del Bridge Access Program.
Estamos empezando a ofrecer vacunas contra la gripe sin cita previa los miercoles de 1:00pm-4:00pm. Por favor traiga su tarjeta de seguro si tiene una. Las vacunas contra la gripe gratuitas están disponibles sólo para personas que NO tienen seguro de salud.
Más adelante este año, las personas que no tienen seguro podrán ir a una farmacia para vacunarse a través de una iniciativa federal llamada Bridge Access Program.
Para aquellos con seguro médico privado o Medicaid/Medicare, la mejor opción será ir a una farmacia o al consultorio del médico para obtener su vacuna COVID-19 actualizada. Visite https://www.vaccines.gov/ (inglés) o https://www.vacunas.gov/ (español) para encontrar una vacuna cerca de usted. Asegúrese de llevar su tarjeta del seguro, ya que el proveedor tendrá que presentar una reclamación a su aseguradora.”
COVID-19 Symptoms
- Loss of taste/smell
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain/tightness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion/Runny Nose
- Fever or chills
- Shaking with chills
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
Testing
You may need to be tested if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Free over-the counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests or kits are available at the Health Department for the community. Stop by for yours today! Available while supplies last.
Las pruebas rápidas de antígeno de COVID-19 están disponibles en el Departamento de Salud para la comunidad y son gratuitas. ¡Pase por las suyas hoy! Disponible hasta agotar existencias.
Isolation & Precautions
Current guidance for isolation and masking can be found on the CDC website by visiting the following links:
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/faq.html and https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/background/index.html#updated.
Prevention
Remember the 3 W's to prevent the spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask, Watch your distance, & Wash your hands.
Wear a Mask
Wearing a mask will protect yourself and others. People who are over two years of age and can medically tolerate a face covering should wear one whenever they are with others who do not live within their household. People can spread COVID-19 even if they have no symptoms. Thus, wearing a face covering even when we feel well is important to protect each other.
When wearing a face covering:
Make sure your mask has multiple layers and covers your nose and mouth.
Make sure you can breathe through it.
Make sure it fits snugly but comfortably against the side of your face.
The face covering should be able to be washed and dried without damage or change in shape.
Wash the face covering after using.
Wash in the regular laundry with detergent and appropriate settings according to the fabric. You can also wash your mask by hand using tap water and laundry detergent or soap. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove detergent or soap. Dry your face coverings completely before use.
Watch Your Distance
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 with social distancing if you or others are not feeling well.
Suggestions to help you maintain your distance:
Work with your employer to remote work whenever possible.
Avoid shopping at peak hours and/or take advantage of delivery or pic-up services offered by retailers.
Avoid shaking hands and hugging as a social greeting.
Avoid crowded places.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is easy, and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
It is especially important to wash your hands:
After touching pets or animals.
Before, during, and after preparing food.
Before and after eating.
After using the bathroom.
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
After handling garbage.
After caring for someone who is sick.
After handling your mask.
Before and after shopping and handling produce.
Resources
Please see the Boone County Health Department Resource Guide for helpful information including emergency and national hotlines, COVID-19 resources, mental health and substance use resources, and employment and community resources.