COVID is back! (It actually never left). Healthcare providers have seen an increase in people seeking testing, symptom management and treatment. The latest variant is Eris or EG.5 and it is causing some hospitalizations nationally.
Symptoms can still vary from person to person but, most often involve upper respiratory complaints such as a sore throat, cough, congestion and a runny nose. Many people have likened it to seasonal allergy symptoms which makes it hard to tell if you need to test for COVID or stay indoors due to allergies. Other symptoms may include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose and a new loss of taste or smell. GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and the loss of smell and taste have decreased in frequency since the beginning of COVID.
TESTING
The best way to verify you have COVID is to test. All of the tests (done at the clinics or the rapid tests) can detect the new variant. Public Health has a very limited amount of TestIowa COVID test kits. It is best to a rapid test found at local pharmacies. The CDC website has excellent information https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
VACCINATION
An updated COVID vaccine is soon coming! Unfortunately we have not yet received guidance for administration and we are unsure when we will receive the vaccine. Please check this site regularly to find out when the vaccine is available. The updated COVID vaccine is NOT free as we have to purchase the vaccine. Insurance information will need to be collected at the time of administration.
If you have additional questions, please contact our agency at 563-382-4662.