Hi there,
Happy new year! I wish all Oakland County residents health and happiness in 2022. For many of us a new year is a chance to set healthy habits. Maybe you want to get more active, quit smoking or just be more proactive with your health. We have included good tips below to accomplish those New Year’s resolutions.
This issue of the newsletter is the launch of an expanded version on public health. I hope this Healthy Oakland newsletter provides reliable information to improve your health, well-being and reduce disease risks. We want to hear from you! Help us know more about you, our readers, and what you may like to learn in future editions by completing this quick survey.
As you likely heard, a continued surge in infections across the country is occuring, so we must all be extra vigilant in doing our part to keep ourselves and those around us safe. Last week, CDC shortened the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods based on what has been learned about the virus and the Omicron variant.
The change is motivated by science showing transmission usually occurs early during illness, generally 1-2 days prior to when symptoms begin and the 2-3 days after. It may feel hard to keep up with changing precautionary guidelines. I understand! But it’s important to remember that guidance adjusts because COVID-19 keeps evolving. Experts gather additional data and evidence that supports revised protocols to keep us safe while balancing our lives. Whether it’s working towards a New Year’s resolution or modifying a mitigation measure during this pandemic, adapting to new approaches can help meet an end goal.
As new COVID cases spread rapidly, if you are eligible, please get vaccinated, including a booster shot. Booster doses are now available for anyone who got the Pfizer vaccine age 12 and older or the Moderna vaccine age 18 and older five months after their primary series. Moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11 year-olds can receive an additional Pfizer dose 28 days after their second shot. Regardless of vaccination status wear a mask when you gather or in close contact with others and in public indoor settings.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
In 2022 - Make health resolutions stick
New Year’s resolutions, they are easy to make, but may be even easier to break. Luckily, these proven strategies can help set you up for success:
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Plan: Identify unhealthy patterns, set realistic goals, and write steps to help achieve them.
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Change your surroundings: Find ways to make healthier choices easy and remove temptations.
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Ask for support: Find friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, or groups for support or ask people to join you.
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Fill your time with healthy activities: Try exercise, a favorite hobby, or spending time with family and friends.
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Track your progress: Record how things are going to help you stay focused and catch slip-ups.
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Imagine the future: Think about future benefits to encourage you to stay on track.
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Reward yourself: Give yourself a healthy reward when you’ve achieved a small goal or milestone, like a massage or personal time.
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Be patient: Improvement takes time, and setbacks happen. Focus on progress, not perfection.
The new year is also a great time to help your children form good habits. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some great information to help kids and teens set healthy goals. Check it out!
CDC updates COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods
CDC updated the recommended time for isolation/quarantine for people with or exposed to COVID-19. As new COVID cases continue to spread rapidly, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when you gather or in close contact with others and in public indoor settings.
If you test positive for COVID-19, isolate
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
- Stay home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms or symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, quarantine
If you are boosted; OR completed a primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months; OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
If you completed a primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are NOT boosted; OR completed a primary series of J&J vaccine over 2 months ago and NOT boosted; OR are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
Applies to all regardless of vaccination status
If you had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, recovered and remain without COVID-19 symptoms:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days after exposure and monitor for symptoms.
- Isolate immediately if symptoms develop.
- Consult a healthcare professional for testing recommendations if new symptoms develop.
Radon test kits half-price during January
Take action to protect your health by testing your home for radon during National Radon Action Month. Visit Oakland County Health Division to purchase radon test kits for $5 during January.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. It is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is usually harmless outdoors. The only way to know if your home has high radon levels is to test. The gas can sometimes get into homes through cracks in floors or walls and can accumulate, becoming a health hazard. According to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), approximately 30% of homes tested in Oakland County have had elevated levels of radon.
Test your home for radon gas during the winter months, since windows and doors typically remain closed during cooler temperatures allowing radon gas to collect inside and be more easily detected. EGLE recommends radon testing every two years as homes settle and new cracks form in the foundation that may cause radon levels to change.
Radon test kits for homes are available for purchase at Health Division offices in Pontiac and Southfield, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for $5 during January, $10 after.
Health Division COVID-19 vaccination sites & info
Check out our Get Vaccinated page for information about upcoming COVID vaccination sites and who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments when available are strongly recommended online or by calling our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
At least 78.5% of those 12 years and older and 35.4% 5-11 years old have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for even more vaccination data.
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.
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