Is it still important to get the COVID-19 vaccine? 

Yes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s true that vaccinated people sometimes still get COVID-19 but staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations greatly lowers your risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.

When will the latest COVID-19 vaccines be here? 

The newest vaccines will come out in the fall 2024. Like flu season, COVID-19 infections are most common during winter. This is when the most people become sick. The CDC recommends that you and your family get the newest vaccine to protect you from COVID-19. Plan to get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time in the fall.

Are there other things I can do to avoid getting COVID-19? 

Yes, there’s more you can do. 

• Wash your hands properly with soap to remove germs, and teach children to do the same. We all touch our eyes, nose, and mouth all day without thinking about it, so if you do so with unwashed hands, you’re at great risk for infection. 

• Keep hand sanitizer on hand, too—one with at least 60% alcohol. You can also remove germs from surfaces in your home using household cleaners that have soap or detergent. Clean surfaces that are touched often, like countertops, handrails, and doorknobs.

• Clear the air. Germs spread easily indoors through the air, so improving airflow can help keep the air clean. Open doors and windows to let in fresh air from outside or turn on exhaust fans. You can also clean the air through a portable air cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

• Wear an effective, well-fitted mask to reduce the number of germs you breathe. Wearing a mask can help you avoid contracting the COVID-19 virus and protect others around you if you’re infected, according to the CDC. 

What are the usual signs of COVID? 

According to the CDC, typical symptoms of COVID-19 include congestion, cough, diarrhea, fatigue, fever and chill, headache, loss of taste or smell, and muscle soreness and aches.

I’m hearing about a new COVID variant. Is it worse than the others?

There is no conclusive information yet about whether a COVID illness will be more severe with the new variants or how symptoms might change, according to the CDC.

Should I come in to get tested or can I use a store-bought test?

That’s up to you. According to the CDC, testing for COVID-19 can help you decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading COVID-19 to others.

You can buy at-home tests online or at local stores such as pharmacies. Or, you can go to a testing location, including Mosaic Health centers, where a professional will test you for COVID-19 and fees will be discounted for eligible patients. If you are a person with a disability, the Disability Information and Access Line can help you access a test or find a test location.

If I test positive for Covid, what are my next steps? 

If you have symptoms, take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading, including staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then, throw used tissues in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. You should also call PCP, especially if symptoms are severe, such as shortness of breath or wheezing, or to see if the symptoms warrant an antiviral treatment.

Who is at greater risk if they catch COVID-19?

According to the CDC, there are certain risk factors that make some people more vulnerable if they get an infection, including people who are older, have weak immune systems or specific disabilities, are pregnant, or children. 

When can I go back to my regular routine?

When you have COVID-19, you can spread the virus to others. How long you can spread it depends on things like how sick you are and for how long. The CDC recommends that if your symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication), you are typically less contagious. 

But, it still takes more time for your body to fully get rid of the virus. During this time, you may still be able to spread the virus to others. Taking precautions, like wearing a mask in public places, self-isolating for the next five days can help reduce this risk. 

After five days, you are typically much less likely to be contagious. However, some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus for longer. 

For COVID-19, taking an antigen test can help you know how likely you are to spread the virus. A positive test tends to mean it is more likely that you can spread the virus to others.