- 304-824-3330
- 8008 Court Street, Hamlin, WV
- Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- 304-824-3330
- 8008 Court Street, Hamlin, WV
- Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
March 1, 2024 – CDC updates and simplifies respiratory virus recommendations.
The CDC offers active guidance on essential prevention steps and strategies, which include:
The guidance advises individuals who fall ill with a respiratory virus to stay home and isolate from others. Treatments for COVID-19 and influenza are available, which can reduce symptoms and the risk of serious illness. It is recommended to resume normal activities once symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours and any fever has resolved without needing fever-reducing drugs.
After returning to regular activities, additional preventive measures are recommended for the following five days to prevent the spread of illness. These include further steps for cleaner air, improved hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, maintaining distance from others, and/or undergoing testing for respiratory viruses. Taking extra precautions is crucial to protect those at higher risk of severe illness, such as individuals over 65 or those with compromised immune systems.
Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests, including shipping, are completely free of charge. If you wish to receive updates on the delivery status of your tests, you can opt to sign up for email alerts upon ordering.
The West Virginia Department of Health is encouraging residents to take proactive steps in response to the rising COVID-19 cases in the state. In collaboration with the U.S. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the U.S. Postal Service, COVIDtests.gov allows households across West Virginia to order four additional free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. Testing is essential as the holiday season approaches.
The newly updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are now available and have been formulated to more effectively target the variants currently in circulation, providing enhanced protection against severe illness and hospitalization. These updated vaccines differ from previous versions by being tailored to boost the immune response against the most common strains, offering stronger protection, particularly for those at greater risk.
With the holiday season bringing more social gatherings, DH is dedicated to ensuring accessible testing and vaccinations, allowing residents to quickly detect respiratory illnesses and make educated healthcare decisions, thereby reducing the risk to their families, friends, and co-workers.
West Virginians 6 months and older are advised to keep their COVID-19 vaccinations current with the updated 2023-2024 shots. Currently, the updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for most individuals aged five years and older. Children aged six months to 4 years have more specific guidelines. Those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may require additional doses for enhanced protection. Vaccination remains the most effective defense against severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death.
COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be very contagious and has the potential to spread rapidly. As of June 1, 2024, the U.S. has recorded nearly 1.2 million fatalities due to COVID-19.
Typically, COVID-19 causes respiratory symptoms similar to those of a cold, flu, or pneumonia. However, it can affect more than just the lungs and respiratory tract; it may impact other body parts as well. While most individuals experience mild symptoms, some may become severely ill.
How COVID-19 Spreads:
The virus spreads through droplets and tiny particles released when an infected person exhales. These can be inhaled by others or land on and contaminate surfaces, potentially infecting people who touch them and then their eyes, nose, or mouth.
COVID-19 can be transmitted by infected individuals regardless of symptom presence and, in certain cases, can even spread from humans to animals.
Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19:
Certain groups are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness from COVID-19, including:
Being aware of your own risks and the risks to others can help you make informed decisions to safeguard your health and the health of those around you.
Regarding Variants:
Viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, are constantly changing. These mutations happen over time and may result in the emergence of new variants with distinct characteristics, such as different ways of spreading. By taking steps to protect yourself and others, you can contribute to slowing the spread of the virus and the development of new variants.
Prevention:
There are numerous measures you can adopt to safeguard yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19. The CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance outlines strategies to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 (both contracting and spreading the virus) and to lessen the severity of illness should you become infected.
In VAMS, a vaccination certificate and its corresponding QR code are generated once a healthcare professional records a COVID-19 vaccine dose for an individual.
To access your vaccination certificates and QR codes in VAMS, visit the VAMS landing page.
To View Your Vaccination Certificate:
Generate Your Vaccination Certificate QR Code
Complete these steps and select ‘View Your Vaccination Certificate’ to display your QR code, which you can print or download to your phone for easy scanning.