If you test positive for COVID, please stay isolate for five (5) days then wear a mask around others inside (even at home) for another five (5) days. There are treatments available if you desire- contact SEARHC EARLY in your infection for the best treatment. Here is an article from KTOO about treatment options:
At Home test availability: Every American household can now order free Covid At Home Test at this site https://www.covidtests.gov/ or at https://special.usps.com/testkits (they are the same program). There are currently offering a third round of test kits, so you can get more even if you already received some.
The best advice we can give is still to layer your mitigation strategies.
- Get Vaccinated
- Wear a mask when you are out and about
- Use Caution when gathering with others
- Wash your hands
- Cover cough and sneezes
- Clean and Disinfect
- Monitor your health daily
Omicron is here- What can we do?
1. Get vaccinated/boosted. Why?
COVID-19 vaccines are safe; millions of people have been safely vaccinated after extensive safety testing and monitoring
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at providing protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death
Vaccination is the best defense against new variants
COVID-19 vaccines are free
The cost of COVID-19 disease can be very high, including missed work, ER visits, or hospitalization
Vaccination is a safer way to build protection than natural infection
It's safer for vaccinated people to travel and spend time together
Vaccination provides a strong, robust immune response that's much safer and more protective than acquiring immunity through natural infection
1/3 of people who tested positive for COVID-19 are affected for weeks, months or longer
Vaccines prevent long-term COVID-19 symptoms like fatigue, cough, headaches, loss of taste and smell, dizziness and more
Vaccination protects your children and other loved ones by reducing your chances of getting infected and transmitting COVID-19 to vulnerable people who are too young to get the vaccine or have compromised immune systems
2. Wear a mask when you are out and about.
Wear a mask indoors in public, especially if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission:
When cases are high in your community, this is an important protective measure even if you are vaccinated. You can check the alert level in your community on the COVID-19 cases dashboard.
In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings, but you might consider wearing a mask during crowded outdoor activities when you're in close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
3.Use caution when gathering with others
Being around others is important to our health and well-being, but keep in mind that the risk of virus transmission is higher in places like restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters.
Protect yourself when cases are high by minimizing time indoors around others, especially in crowded spaces with poor ventilation.
Spend time with others outdoors when you can. Wearing a mask when indoors around others can help protect you and those around you. Consider getting tested before or after an event, like a concert or a large family celebration, especially if it includes older adults or those with significant underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for serious illness.
Physical distancing — staying 6 feet from others — can also be an important tool. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4.Wash your hands
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
5. Cover coughs and sneezes
If you are wearing a mask, cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
If you are not wearing a mask, always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Immediately wash your hands.
6.Clean and disinfect
Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily, especially if someone in your household is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
7. Monitor your health daily
Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. If symptoms develop, take your temperature and follow CDC guidance. Stay home if you are sick to prevent spreading illness to others.
Focus on your overall health and wellness
Taking care of your mental and physical health can help protect you from severe illness from COVID-19 and other diseases too. Eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and stay connected to friends and family.
Please seek help if you need it- get tested if you are feeling sick.
- Stay home except to get medical care.
- Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. If possible, use a separate bathroom. If you must be around others, wear a mask.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay well hydrated.
- Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to reduce symptoms. For acetaminophen, the total daily dose from all products should not exceed 3,000 mg.
- Rest in the prone position (flat on your stomach) for easier breathing. Engage in light physical activity, such as walking, that you can comfortably tolerate.
- Monitor your symptoms. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse and get emergency medical care immediately for emergency warning signs. If people need more information, they can visit our website, or call the State’s COVID Helpline at 907-646-3322 or call their local Public Health Center.
The Haines Support Chain is still up and running! Their goal is to connect people in Haines who may need help during this time‐ contact them at:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScS2Jsh3k-udm0zvTDWS2vI4h1sILB…
Ways to stay informed:
State of Alaska COVID Updates: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/epi/id/pages/covid-19/default.aspx
EOC emails: sign up by sending a request to eoc [at] haines.ak.us
Borough website: https://www.hainesalaska.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hainesEOC
Nixle text/email emergency alerts: https://www.hainesalaska.gov/police/stay-connected-nixle
If you would like to get vaccinated, please contact the SEARHC clinic to schedule it:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/91f69caf35674e888393ac0106fb34a1