How to cope with COVID

Based on the Sequoyah County COVID-19 Community Level being high, there are certain precautions the CDC recommends.

• Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings)

• If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease

— Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection

— Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed

— Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take other precautions (e.g., testing)

— Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing)

— Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP and monoclonal antibodies

• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease

— Consider self-testing to detect infection before contact

— Consider wearing a mask when indoors with them

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

• Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible

• Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19

How to protect yourself

• Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.

• The best thing you can do to protect yourself and the people around you is to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.

• It is also important that people continue to follow the three W‚s:

1. Wear a mask with the best fit, protection and comfort for you.

2. Wash your hands often.

3. Watch your distance. Stay six feet away from others.

• In addition to the three W‚s, consider a checklist when assessing personal health risk and taking precautions against COVID-19: who you are, where you are and what you‚re doing.

1. Who you are – Consider your personal health circumstance. If you are at increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, avoid crowded places and indoor spaces that do not have fresh air from the outdoors.

2. Where you are – Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.

3. What you‚re doing – Are you with other vaccinated people or doing a physical activity?

Asking yourself these questions about your individual situation can help guide your decision about which mitigation strategies make the most sense for you and your family.

• Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Clean and disinfect.

• Monitor your health daily.

• Test to prevent spread to others.

• Follow recommendations for quarantine.

• Follow recommendations for isolation.

• Take precautions when you travel.

Who is at higher risk?

Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including older adults, people who have serious chronic medical conditions (comorbidities) like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, and people who are immunocompromised.

Symptoms

“One of the best things you can do if you are symptomatic is to test and stay home,” says Keith Reed, Oklahoma commissioner of health. “Taking these precautions will help reduce community transmission. Additionally, there are tools available you can choose to use to protect yourself, including good hand washing, testing, vaccination and wearing a mask in high-risk areas. Effective treatments are also available, including antiviral medications and antibody treatment.”

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.