Public Health continues to offer a limited number of vaccine clinics, ensure that those that need their second dose are getting it, and plan for more vaccine clinics at the local school districts in the fall.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Remember light switches and cell phones too.

Public Health continues to provide updated information to the public on preventing COVID-19, the current status of COVID-19, and the current state requirements in regard to COVID. Public Health also continues to provide COVID-19 vaccination clinics and encourage anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so.

• Stay home from work and school. Stay away from other public places. If you must go out, avoid any kind of public transportation or ride sharing. Household members should also stay home and monitor for symptoms.
• Monitor you symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider.
• Get rest and stay hydrated
• If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider ahead of time and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19.
• For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify dispatch that you have or may have COVID-19.
• Cover your cough and sneezes
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. If you need to be around other people in or outside of the home, wear a facemask.
• Avoid sharing personal items with other people in your household, like dishes, towels, or bedding.
• Clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, and doorknobs. Use household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions

If you have confirmed COVID-19 or are symptomatic but do not seek testing, you must isolate at home until all three of the following are true:

• It has been at least 10 days since you first began feeling sick (symptom onset)
AND
• Your cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms have improved
AND
• You are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication that reduces fever.

If your COVID-19 test is negative, you may return to normal activity once you are feeling better and you are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication that reduces fever.

Riverwood Healthcare Center is testing all symptomatic individuals and asymptomatic individuals that request to be tested. Testing is available at the Aitkin and McGregor clinics by appointment. Call 218-927-2157 to schedule. For COVID specific information, you can call the Riverwood COVID hotline at 218-927-1323.