Public Health continues to offer routine vaccination clinics in the Aitkin and McGregor areas. Click here to see the current clinic schedule.

Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19. It is recommended that everyone age 5 years and older be vaccinated. It is also recommended that everyone 12 years and older receive a booster dose at least 5 months after completing the primary series. Other measures to help prevent COVID-19 are:

• Wearing a well-fitting mask of at least 2 layers of tightly woven fabric when in public areas where there is substantial or high community transmission
• Washing your hands often with soap and water
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Staying home when you are sick
• Getting tested for COVID-19 if you are sick or have been told that you had close contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19

• 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 are sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms, get tested. Stay home and away from others for at least 5 days. If your symptoms are improving and it has been at least 24 hours since having a fever, you can resume most activities on day six. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others for days 6 through 10.

If you test negative, you can resume normal activity when you are feeling better and you have been fever free for at least 24 hours. If symptoms continue or worsen, get re-tested.

• Riverwood - To make an appointment, call 218-670-5079
• CVS - COVID-19 Testing and Locations | MinuteClinic (cvs.com)
• Walgreens - COVID-19 Testing: FAQs & Distribution Information | Walgreens
• Vault - https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html
• OTC options: CVS pharmacy, Walgreens, https://www.covidtests.gov/
• COVID quick results - Home (covidquickresults.com)