To reduce their risk of becoming infected and potentially spreading it to others, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people:
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, but only several types are known to commonly cause infections in people, with these common human coronaviruses usually causing mild to moderate respiratory illness (like the common cold). Newer human coronaviruses, like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms. The COVID-19 is originally thought to have spread from animals to humans, but person-to-person spread is widespread.
COVID-19 is thought to spread from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets:
The virus may be spread in other ways:
This is similar to how influenza and other respiratory infections spread. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. The more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
If you have traveled to/from countries with a COVID-19 Travel Advisory and develop symptoms of a fever or respiratory illness within 14 days of your travel, contact your health care provider before going to their office or the emergency department, and tell them about your recent travel and symptoms. You can also contact the NH Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496, if you have questions or concerns.
For the latest travel information and advisories, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick from viral respiratory infections, and help prevent transmitting infections to others, including:
There are no specific antiviral treatments recommended for infection with the COVID-19. People infected with COVID-19 can receive supportive care at home to help relieve symptoms, such as taking pain or fever medications, drinking plenty of fluids, and staying home and resting. Some patients who are very sick may need to go to the hospital to get care.
People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately.
If you are unvaccinated and have been identified as a household contact to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, then you are at risk of developing COVID-19 sometime in the 2-14 days after you were exposed. Follow these guidelines:
You do NOT need to stay home (quarantine) for 5 days or get tested for COVID-19 if either of the following apply:
However, you still need to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19, practice social distancing, avoid social and other group gatherings, always wear a face mask when around other people, and practice good hand hygiene at all times.
Learn more: DHHS Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations for the General Public.
CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccines are provided at no cost.
Although children are at a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19 compared with adults, children can:
Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with children without underlying medical conditions. Children who get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can also develop serious complications like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)—a condition where different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.
Vaccines are readily available at your local pharmacy and should soon be available through your health care provider. Please speak with your health care provider if you have questions.
To learn more, review the CDC Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination.
Everyone ages 12+ should get a booster dose at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series.
On March 29, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for a second mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness.
Learn more about CDC recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots.
Here are key things you need to know about the new COVID-19 Vaccination Program and COVID-19 vaccines:
To learn more, visit the CDC vaccine website.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website provides updated information about the state's response to COVID-19. The page can be accessed at: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
Additional information, including advisories for travel, businesses and schools, can be found at the Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 page at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The Dover School District also provides updates about COVID-19 and the response by school officials here.