COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you have general questions regarding the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19, please call our COVID-19 information line at 815-547-8561 or email us at COVID19@boonehealth.org

New Updates

The Biden administration has announced more free at-home tests for a limited time. You can order 4 tests per household here: https://www.covid.gov/tests. You can read more here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/15/fact-sheet-biden-administration-announces-covid-19-winter-preparedness-plan/

Project ACT (Access COVID Testing) is also offering free iHealth at-home tests. This is another program in addition to the federal rollout of at-home tests. ALL ZIP codes in Illinois located outside the City of Chicago are now eligible to request FREE COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for home delivery! Please visit the following website, enter your ZIP code, and sign-up: https://www.accesscovidtests.org/ .This is 5 tests per household per month while supplies list. iHealth at-home tests have received a shelf-life extension. Here is a link where you can search your test kit by lot number and see the expiration date: https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/news?fbclid=IwAR1Z_aPWueFvHRajH_o_74eHsIARoemWZ2wxGZn-l2hpOU7bPu7WNpxT5IU

12-21-22 Updated Transportation English flyer

10-03-22 COVID-19 kits distribution English

Report your positive at-home tests by completing this survey: Positive At-Home Test Reporting

Replacement COVID-19 Vaccination Cards
Effective Monday January 31^st, The Boone County Health Department is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccine card replacements. Please go to the IDPH Vax Verify portal, which is an immunization registry, to access your vaccinations. The link is https://dph.illinois.gov/vaxverify. If you have never done it before, you will have to register and create an account. You will need to enter the required information, which has a red asterisk next to it. It will have you verify your identity with an email address. Go to your email and find the email and click “verify” within the email. It will then ask you for a social security number, which is optional. If you do not want to share that, then just click “next” when prompted. It will then ask you questions about loan servicers that you have worked with, etc. to verify your identify. It will also ask for your phone number to verify your identity. It will send your phone a code to enter into the website. Then you can see your vaccinations. If you are not able to do this, please reach out to a friend or family member to help you with this. If your health care provider is enrolled in the Illinois Immunization registry, they also have access to this information and may be able to provide you with your vaccination information.

Reemplazo de tarjeta de vacuna del COVID-19
A partir del lunes 31 de enero, el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Boone ya no está proporcionando reemplazos de tarjetas de vacunas COVID-19. Favor de ir al portal de IDPH Vax Verify, que es un registro de vacunación, para acceder a sus vacunas. El enlace es https://dph.illinois.gov/vaxverify. Si nunca lo ha hecho antes, tendrá que registrarse y crear una cuenta. Tendrá que introducir la información requerida, que tiene un asterisco rojo al lado. Te pedirá que verifiques tu identidad con una dirección de correo electrónico. Vaya a su correo electrónico y busque el correo electrónico y haga clic en "verificar" dentro del correo electrónico. Después, le pedirá un número de seguro social, que es opcional. Si no quieres compartirlo, haz clic en "siguiente" cuando se te pida. Luego le preguntará sobre los servicios de préstamo con los que ha trabajado, etc., para verificar su identidad. También le pedirá su número de teléfono para verificar su identidad. Le enviará a su teléfono un código para que lo introduzca en el sitio web. Entonces podrá ver sus vacunas. Si no puede hacer esto, favor de acudir a un amigo o familiar para que le ayude con esto. Si su proveedor de atención médica está inscrito en el registro de vacunación de Illinois, también tiene acceso a esta información y puede proporcionarle información sobre sus vacunas.

Vaccination Information

COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccinations are open to the general public. You must bring a driver’s license or ID, insurance card, and COVID-19 Immunization card. You will not be turned away for a vaccine if you do not have insurance. Pfizer is permitted for use for those 6 months of age and older, and Moderna is permitted for use for 6 months of age and older. A parent or guardian must be onsite at a clinic for anyone under age 18. If an individual receiving a vaccine is under the age of 18, parents must complete a consent form for their children receiving a vaccine, which will be available onsite at the clinics or you can download it here. If you have further questions or need more information, please call the Boone County Health Department COVID-19 Information line at 815-547-8561 or email COVID19@boonehealth.org.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Bivalent Doses

Below are the flyers for the vaccination clinics the Boone County Health Department will be hosting in June at our office located at 1204 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008. Vaccine clinics will be offered on various Thursdays and Fridays. On two Thursdays in June (8th & 22nd), vaccines will be available for ages six months and up by appointment only from 2:00-6:00 p.m. On three Fridays in June (2nd, 16th, & 30th), vaccines will be available for ages 6 months and up on a walk-in basis from 2:00-4:00 p.m., and bivalent boosters will be available for ages 12 and up. Below is the link to schedule an appointment on a Thursday or Friday in June.

Thursday & Friday COVID-19 clinics: Click here to schedule

06-01-23 June Thursday Clinics eng

06-01-23 June Friday Clinics eng

06-01-23 June Friday Clinics span

Mass Vaccination Sites Open to Illinois Residents

www.wchd.org; Winnebago County Health Department's site at 1321 Sandy Hollow Rd., Rockford IL 61109: By appointment only, click link to register
Statewide Sites
https://www.vaccines.gov/

Additional places to Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine

English Flyer
Español Folleto

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.

How To Get a COVID-19 Test
There are many options for testing sites. Please see below.

You can register for an appointment for testing with the Boone County Health Department, 1204 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008 using the following link (flyer below): Click here for appointment.

06-01-23 Shield Flyer - English

06-01-23 Sheild Flyer - Spanish (004) - Copy

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 breath 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 if COVID-19 with social distancing. Keep at least six-feet of distance between you and others that are not members of your immediate household whenever possible.

Suggestions to help you maintain your distance:
Work with your employer to allow remote work whenever possible.
Avoid shopping at peak hours and/or take advantage of delivery or pick-up services offered by retailers.
Avoid shaking hands and hugging as a social greeting.
Avoid crowded places.
Stay home whenever possible.

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.

Contact Tracing

Contact Tracing is a Crucial Part of the COVID-19 Response. Contact Tracing Slows the Spread of COVID-19.

Contact tracing is a proven health practice that has helped save lives. Contact tracing is a well-established way to reduce the spread of disease. Contact tracing provides support to those testing positive for COVID-19 and those exposed by COVID-19. Our competent and empathetic staff are here to help answer any questions and provide resources to those in Boone County who test positive or may have been exposed. We can make a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19. If you receive a call from IL COVID HELP coming from a 312 area code, answer the call to help save lives.

What is Contact Tracing?
- During contact tracing, we reach out to people with COVID-19 to identify people they had close contact with during the time they may have been contagious. Being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more during a 24 hour period is considered close contact.
- We notify contacts of their potential exposure without divulging information of the person who tested positive.
- We refer those close contacts to COVID-19 testing sites.
- We monitor close contacts for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
- We connect close contacts with resources they might need to stay at home safely during the self-quarantine period, such as groceries or income assistance.

Your Information
Your private health information is secured and always kept confidential during and after contact tracing calls. Identifying information, including your name, address, and date of birth, will never be revealed to others, even those who may have been exposed. Look out for scams. We will never ask for or collect sensitive data such as social security numbers or health insurance information during contact tracing calls. The information collected during the calls are not shared with anyone, including law enforcement, immigration or credit collection agencies.

Some information that we will ask you during these calls include:
Who you may have had close contact with recently
Locations you may have been recently

Communication

The Boone County Health Department has developed a system to distribute COVID-19 vaccine information to the public. By providing basic contact details, the public will receive periodic updates on COVID-related matters and the latest vaccine information. Additionally, your contact information will be used to provide links to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Registration Sites, when they become available. Boone County residents can be put on the Boone County COVID-19 Information Communication list by filling out a form located at: Regroup Messaging

Press Releases & Daily Reports - Please see Boone County Health Department's COVID-19 reporting information.

Follow us on social media for COVID-19 updates

Facebook: facebook.com/boonecountyhealth

Instagram: instagram.com/boonecountyhealth/

Twitter: twitter.com/BooneCoHealth

Resources

Post-COVID-19 Conditions
Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Please see the Post-COVID Conditions Resources for links to care clinics to assist individuals with these conditions. (En Espanol: Condiciones posteriors al COVID-19)

Housing, Rent, & Utilities
Have you been directly affected by COVID-19, gotten behind on your rent, or utilities, and are now facing eviction? The Community Action Rental Assistance Program may be able to help. Below are fliers for people who have been affected by COVID-19 and are behind on their rent and utilities. This funding is for person who reside in Boone and Winnebago counties. The online application is available in English and Spanish.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Eligibility
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Application
Illinois Rental Assistance Program
State of Illinois announces $1.5 billion for renters and landlords, federal resources for small businesses and more.

Childcare
If you are in need of childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed a guide entitled Boone County Childcare Resources During COVID-19 that discussed various options and includes flyers from local daycare and childcare centers.

Emergency 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.

Need to talk? The Illinois Department of Human Services' Mental Health Division has launched a free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19. Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text "TALK" to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish, "HABLAR" to the same number of 5-5-2-0-2-0.

Groceries
Are you hungry? The Boone County Hunger Coalition is working to provide meals to people in Boone County. Follow @BooneCountyHungerCoalitionIL on Facebook to stay up to date.
Summer Meals 2021
Additional Boone County Resources
SNAP & Food Assistance Program
Resources for SNAP Recipients

Resources for Businesses
Creating a one-stop shop for Boone County businesses, the Boone County Health Department and county partners launched a shared website which can be viewed at the Forward Boone County Website. Each community partner’s website will display a shared image linking visitors to the same resources and information. This unified approach allows Boone County to display and support consistent messaging and materials.

Boone County Resources

COVID-19 Guidance

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization
- Advice for the Public
- When and How to Use a Mask
Illinois Department of Commerce
- Outdoor Markets & Festivals Guidance
  - Outdoor markets and festivals need to use the above guidance (see the link above) when planning while they're limited to 30 people per 1,000 sq. ft. in the Bridge Phase,
School Guidance
Bridge Phase Order

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do I need to bring my insurance card when I get my vaccine?
You will not see a bill for the vaccine. The insurance will be billed to counter the costs of administration. Insurance is not required to be vaccinated.

Does my vaccine expire if I do not get it on the date I'm due for my second shot?
No. According to the CDC, the recommended interval between doses is 21 days for Pfizer-BioNTech and 28 days for Moderna; however, up to 42 days between doses is permissible when a delay is unavoidable. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3faDDWB

How do I make an appointment for my second dose?
Please go to the Boone County Health Department Website at boonehealth.org or you can call our COVID-19 information line at 815-547-8561 or email us at COVID19@boonehealth.org.

Can I receive my second dose sooner than the date on the back of my card?
You cannot received your Pfizer dose sooner than 21 days after the first shot and your Moderna shot sooner than 28 days after your first shot.

Is there a difference in dosage between the first and the second vaccine?
No. These dose amounts are the same for first and second doses of Pfizer (0.3ml), Moderna (0.5ml), and Novavax (0.5ml).

Can I receive any other vaccines before, between or after I receive my COVID vaccines?
Yes, now you can. The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered on the same day or shortly before or after other scheduled vaccines.

If the first vaccine made me sick, should I still get my second vaccine?
Absolutely. In order to be considered fully vaccinated and to achieve maximum protection against COVID-19, you will need to receive the recommended number.

What age do I have to be to receive the COVID vaccine?
Age is dependent on the type of vaccine.
Pfizer: 6 months+
Moderna: 6 months+
Johnson & Johnson: 18+
Novavax: 18+

Is my local health department the only one I can go through for my vaccine?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine is available at health departments, pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, and doctor's offices. To find a location nearest you, please visit: Vaccination Locations

I made my vaccine appointment but did not receive a confirmation email. What do I do?
Call the Boone County Health Department's COVID-19 information line at 815-547-8561 or email us at COVID19@boonehealth.org.

Which vaccine brands are currently available; and, what is the difference?
The current brands are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.
We encourage you to learn more about the current vaccine options, by visiting the CDC's website "Different COVID-19 Vaccines."

COVID-19

Why do I need to bring my insurance card when I get my vaccine?You will not see a bill for the vaccine. The insurance will be billed to counter the costs of administration. Insurance is not required to be vaccinated.

How do I make an appointment for my second dose?Please go to the Boone County Health Department Website at boonehealth.org or you can call our COVID-19 information line at 815-547-8561 or email us at COVID19@boonehealth.org.

Can I receive my second dose sooner than the date on the back of my card?You cannot received your Pfizer dose sooner than 21 days after the first shot and your Moderna shot sooner than 28 days after your first shot.

Is there a difference in dosage between the first and the second vaccine?No. These dose amounts are the same for first and second doses of Pfizer (0.3ml), Moderna (0.5ml), and Novavax (0.5ml).

Can I receive any other vaccines before, between or after I receive my COVID vaccines?Yes, now you can. The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered on the same day or shortly before or after other scheduled vaccines.

If the first vaccine made me sick, should I still get my second vaccine?Absolutely. In order to be considered fully vaccinated and to achieve maximum protection against COVID-19, you will need to receive the recommended number.

What age do I have to be to receive the COVID vaccine?Age is dependent on the type of vaccine.Pfizer: 6 months+Moderna: 6 months+Johnson & Johnson: 18+Novavax: 18+

Is my local health department the only one I can go through for my vaccine?No. The COVID-19 vaccine is available at health departments, pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, and doctor's offices. To find a location nearest you, please visit: Vaccination Locations

I made my vaccine appointment but did not receive a confirmation email. What do I do?Call the Boone County Health Department's COVID-19 information line at 815-547-8561 or email us at COVID19@boonehealth.org.

Which vaccine brands are currently available; and, what is the difference?The current brands are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.We encourage you to learn more about the current vaccine options, by visiting the CDC's website "Different COVID-19 Vaccines."