You can download an official Springfield-Greene County Health Memo for Release Letter here.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home and away from others for at least FIVE DAYS after testing positive. A high-quality mask should be worn when you must be around others at home and in public. Isolation can end once you are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving, which may take longer than the five-day minimum.

Once isolation has ended, a mask should be worn around others for at least five additional days. 

Guidance for those who have moderate illness (if you experience shortness of breath or have difficulty breathing): 
Isolate through Day 10. 

Guidance for those who have severe illness or have a weakened immune system, or if your COVID-19 symptoms return or worsen:  
Talk with your primary care doctor before ending isolation. 

The CDC no longer recommends quarantine for people without symptoms.  An exposure occurs when a person comes into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.  The factors that increase your risk include: 

• The total time of exposure
•  How close the infected person was to you
• Whether the infected person had symptoms
• Whether masks were worn
• How well-ventilated the space was

If you develop symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, you should get tested for COVID-19and stay home until you get the test results: 

Positive test: Isolate immediately. 
Negative test: Continue to take precautions through Day 10.  Home antigen tests are not as accurate as PCR tests.  The FDA recommends repeating a negative test 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least three antigen tests. 

If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention -particularly if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider before you go to tell them about your symptoms and recent travel history.

If you are sick, you can use virtual care options to seek medical treatment without exposing others to illness.

COVID-19 s a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new lost of taste or smell. It is important to remember that these symptoms are common in many illnesses.

Vaccines have to pass rigorous safety and effectiveness standards before they are widely distributed. The vaccines have been studied in tens of thousands of people, the study results are reviewed by independent advisory committees, and these committees then give advice on who should receive the vaccine. Although the COVID-19 vaccine was developed in record time, that is a reflection of the global scientific community's collective efforts to combat COVID-19 - not an indication that any corners have been cut. Researchers were able to use existing science and technology, which made vaccine development faster than previously used methods of making vaccines. 

The COVID-19 vaccines stimulate a strong immune response that may cause mild and temporary symptoms in many individuals for 1-3 days. These are normal signs that your body is building protection:

• pain and swelling at the injection site
• fever
• fatigue
• chills
• headaches
• muscle aches
• nausea

Vaccines teach the body's immune system how to fight an invader. Exactly how the vaccine works depends on the type of vaccine and the type illness it is fighting, but the general idea is to introduce something that helps the body recognize the virus in the future. When your body responds to the vaccine, it learns how to fight that illness so that the next time you encounter it, your body is prepared to fight it off without making you terribly sick.In the case of COVID-19, both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines. You've seen lots of images of the coronavirus, with those characteristic spikes. These vaccines teach your body to recognize those spikes and to fight off the virus.

Therapeutics are available (by prescription) for preventing and treating COVID-19 in specific at-risk populations. Patients can discuss with their healthcare provider if they are a candidate for therapeutic medications, and if they are available locally. Contact a healthcare provider right away after a positive test to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild. Don’t delay. Treatment must be started within the first few days of when your symptoms started to be effective. COVID-19 therapeutics differ in efficacy, route of administration, risk profile and whether they are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults only or adults and certain pediatric populations. Efficacy of treatments is closely monitored as new variants and subvariants emerge. COVID-19 treatment allocation is determined at the federal and state levels, and Springfield-Greene County Health does not have control over availability or location of specific medications. The DHSS Test to Treat program provides designated testing sites where people can determine their eligibility for treatment and get a prescription if they qualify upon a positive COVID-19 test result. Locate these sites at the DHSS COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

• Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir): Oral antiviral for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19; EUA for adult and pediatric patients (at least age 12 and weighing at least 40 kg) at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection.
• Molnupiravir: Oral antiviral for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19; EUA for adults at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection, and for whom alternative treatment options authorized or approved by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
• VEKLURY (remdesivir): IV antiviral for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19; FDA Approved for adults and pediatric patients (at least age 12 and weighing at least 40 kg) who are (1) hospitalized or (2) not hospitalized and at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection; EUA for pediatric patients weighing 3.5 kg to less than 40 kg or pediatric patients less than 12 years of age (weighing at least 3.5 kg) who are (1) hospitalized or (2) not hospitalized and at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection.

• Sotrovimab: IV infusion for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19; Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for adult and pediatric patients (at least age 12 and weighing at least 40 kg) at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection.
  *Not recommended for use while BA.2 is dominant subvariant.
• Bebtelovimab: IV injection for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19; EUA for adult and pediatric patients (at least age 12 and weighing at least 40 kg) at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection and for whom alternative treatment options authorized or approved by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
• Evusheld (tixagevimab/cilgavimab): Intramuscular injection for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), for people not currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and who have not had a known recent exposure. EUA for adult and pediatric patients (at least age 12 and weighing at least 40 kg) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or for those who any EUA or approved vaccine is not recommended. View treatment options, efficacy, requirements and more side-by-side from the DHSS.

Anyone who is exposed to COVID-19 should get test 5-7 days after the exposure occurs. If symptoms develop, test immediately. Appointments are required for COVID-19 testing at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and can now be made online or by calling the COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211. Individuals who book an appointment will receive a test at the Springfield-Greene County Health Bengsch Building, located at 227 E. Chestnut Expy. The NAAT tests used at the clinic have high accuracy (like the PCR test) and are administered via a throat swab. Results are available within 24-72 hours.

Following an exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, a person should wear a mask for 10 days when around others regardless of vaccination status.

It is highly recommended to have a viral COVID-19 test before traveling. When traveling domestically, make sure you understand and follow all state, tribal, local, and territorial travel restrictions, including proper mask wearing, proof of vaccination, or testing requirements, which can be found here. 

Some forms of international traveling, like a cruise, may require a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. Keep up to date about travel by visiting the CDC website here. 

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms before, during or after travel, you should isolate and consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations. View testing opportunities here in Springfield here. 

Maintaining physical distance to prevent COVID-19 is often difficult on public transportation. People may not be able to avoid crowding on airplanes, trains, or buses.

CDC recommendations to protect yourself from COVID-19 including staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and wearing a mask on public transportation. For more guidance, click here. 

All travelers should take steps to protect themselves and others.

• Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel.
• Check the current COVID-19 Community Level at your destination.
• Make sure you understand and follow all state, tribal, local, and territorial travel restrictions, including proper mask wearing, proof of vaccination, or testing requirements.
• If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any testing, vaccination, or other documents.
• Prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travel.
• If you have a weakened immune system or are at increased risk for severe disease, take multiple prevention steps to provide additional layers of protection from COVID-19 even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk before travel and consider delaying travel to areas with high COVID-19 Community levels. Even if you are up to date, you should know what precautions to take.