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It appears that COVID-19 cases, which spiked in May, are on the decline. In fact, the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Risk Map indicates that virtually all of metro Detroit is considered to have low COVID-19 community levels. CDC recommendations for communities with low levels of transmission include:
So as we move into what is hopefully, a fun-filled summer, it is also a great time to take advantage of learnings and resources that have been developed over the past two years to help guard against future variants and potential increases in community transmission. This is a great time for you and your loved ones to:
- Order free testing kits for future needs
- Educate yourself on post-infection treatments
This issue of the COVID-19 Newsletter features information on COVID-19 vaccination appointments for individuals aged 6 months and up, when to get tested for COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine boosters, COVID-19 variants, and free at-home COVID-19 test kits.
Take care and stay safe.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Individuals Aged 6 Months and Up – The Macomb County Health Department is currently taking appointments for individuals aged 6 months and up who are eligible for an initial series, or a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, go to https://www.macombgov.org/VaccineCentral. To make an appointment, go to https://bit.ly/3CxhDyg. Individuals who need help making an appointment can call the Macomb County Helpline at 586-463-3750. Although not encouraged, walk-up appointments are also welcome.
Do You Need a COVID-19 Test? – It can be confusing when trying to determine when to test for COVID-19. Review the questions below to determine when to get tested. If you have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days and recovered, you do not need to be tested unless you develop new symptoms.
Do you have COVID-19 symptoms?
Have you had close contact exposure to someone with COVID-19?
- Get tested at least 5 days after exposure.
Are you traveling?
- CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. Learn more here.
Are you planning to attend an upcoming event or gathering?
- Reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by getting tested as close to the event date as possible.
Where can I get a test?
- You can find testing locations in Macomb County here. In addition, you can also find COVID-19 testing sites at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 test locator that can be found here. You can also get tested at a Test to Treat site where you can get tested and, if you are positive and treatments are appropriate for you – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have your prescription filled all at one location.
Self-tests
- Order free tests at COVIDtests.gov or buy tests online or in pharmacies and retail stores. Private health insurance may reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests. Visit FDA’s website for a list of authorized tests.
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There have been a lot of recent updates to CDC guidance on COVID-19 boosters. The chart below helps clarify the recent guidance. The Macomb County Health Department is currently taking appointments for individuals age five and up who are eligible for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, visit https://www.macombgov.org/VaccineCentral. To make an appointment for a booster dose, click here https://bit.ly/3CxhDyg. Individuals who need help making an appointment can call the Macomb County Helpline at 586-463-3750. Although not encouraged, walk-up appointments are also welcome. For more information, visit the CDC’s Guidance on COVID-19 Boosters.
What You Need to Know About Variants – Viruses constantly change through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in a new variant of the virus. Some variants emerge and disappear while others persist. New variants will continue to emerge. CDC and other public health organizations monitor all variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 in the United States and globally. Scientists monitor all variants but may classify certain ones as variants being monitored, variants of interest, variants of concern and variants of high consequence. Some variants spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. Even if a variant causes less severe disease in general, an increase in the overall number of cases could cause an increase in hospitalizations, put more strain on healthcare resources and potentially lead to more deaths.
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Recently Announced - a third round of eight free COVID-19 tests are now available – The U.S. Government recently announced that households that have already received two packages of free COVID-19 tests are eligible to order an additional box of tests. The third round brings to 16 the total number of free tests available to each U.S. household since the program started earlier this year. Households were eligible to receive four tests during each of two earlier rounds of ordering through the website. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. For more information and to place your order, go to https://www.covidtests.gov/.
- Youngest Americans can start getting COVID-19 vaccines. Here’s what every parent should know read more
- Moderna says updated COVID shot boosts omicron protection read more
- Americans keep getting reinfected with COVID-19 as new variants emerge, data shows read more
- COVID Q&A: How common is repeat infection; how are vaccines holding up? read more
The Macomb County Health Department continues to respond to the ever-evolving nature of COVID-19 pandemic. For the latest COVID-19 data, news and information, click on the buttons below for helpful resources available to you.
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