COVID-19 Information

If you have been EXPOSED:

Wear a mask as soon as you find out you've been exposed.   You should receive testing ≥ 5 days after exposure (or sooner, if they are symptomatic), irrespective of their vaccination status.  Continue precautionary measures for 10 full days (wear a high quality mask anytime your are around others when indoors; do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask; take extra precautions when around those who are high-risk).

If you have TESTED POSITIVE:

Stay home and separated from family members if  you know you’re infected (usually because of a positive test result).  Symptomatic or infected persons should isolate promptly, and infected persons should remain in isolation for ≥5 days and wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask or respirator if they must be around others. Infected persons may end isolation after 5 days, only when they are without a fever for ≥24 hours without the use of medication and all other symptoms have improved, and they should continue to wear a mask or respirator around others at home and in public through day 10.  (8/11/2022)

Calculating Isolation:  To calculate your five-day isolation period, day zero is your first day of symptoms. Day one is the first full day after your symptoms develop. For example, if your symptoms started Jan. 4, you are able to end isolation Jan. 10 as long as you are no longer exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

If you received a positive COVID-19 result but are asymptomatic, the isolation period starts from the day after the COVID-19 test was taken.  After isolation, it is recommended everyone continue to wear a mask indoors and outdoors to reduce spread of the virus.

There are COVID-19 Antiviral Treatments available for persons testing positive and at risk for serious illness from COVID-19

This link identifies test-to-treat locations and pharmacies that can fill a prescription written by your healthcare provider or by testing-to-treat at a site that offers that service or with a telehealth visit at participating pharmacies

Anyone 18 and up who is at risk of serious illness can take these medications that need to be started within 5 days of onset of symptoms.

• Paxlovid
• Molnupiravir

The medications are provided at no cost.  Some sites may charge for services not covered by insurance.

FDA recently authorized and CDC recommended Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine as another primary series option for adolescents aged 12 through 17 years. Previously, this vaccine had been recommended for adults aged 18 years and older.

You can find other locations such as retail pharmacies, community events, and community vaccination centers at vaccinate.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has adopted the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as relates to booster eligibility.

• COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have decreased over time after your primary series vaccination.
• People are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible.
• There are different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
• It is never too late to get the added protection offered by a COVID-19 booster.

Visit the CDC's website for detailed information on booster eligibility and frequency:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

Variants

Viruses constantly change through mutation. A variant has one or more mutations that sets it apart from other variants in circulation. Variants are expected. The more the COVID-19 virus circulates, the greater the chances that new mutations or variants can develop. A variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is considered to be concerning when it increases the risk to human health. The risk to human health could be because a variant may be able to:

• Spread more easily.
• Cause more severe illness.
• Escape the immune protection provided by available COVID-19 vaccines or by natural infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Make viral tests less accurate.
• Make some treatments less effective.

*There are currently two variants of concern in the United States. These are Omicron and Delta.

For more information on variants visit the Virginia Department of Health Variants Dashboard or the CDC’s website:   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html