The CDC has shared some of its lastest updates on COVID-19 and how you can continue helping stop the spread of the coronavirus:

Masks Protect You & Me

Masks are an additional step to prevent people from getting and spreading COVID-19. They provide a barrier that keeps respiratory droplets from spreading. When we all wear masks, we take care of each other and everyone is protected.

For the most protection, take all these steps.

• Wear a mask
• Stay 6 feet apart
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated places
• Wash your hands

Learn more at www.CDC.gov.

 

V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker

V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. This information helps CDC monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in near real-time. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information.

 

Isolate If You Are Sick

Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others.

If you think or know you had COVID-19 and had symptoms you can be with others after:

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

**Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

Learn more at www.CDC.gov.

 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

(January 20, 2021) – In the United States, there have been 23,982,584 confirmed cases of COVID-19 detected through U.S. public health surveillance systems in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.

In addition to cases, deaths and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccination tab to track the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.

As we approach New Year’s Eve, our Genesis family is wishing you safe and happy holiday! The following information has been shared by the CDC, including suggestions for safely celebrating as the clock strikes midnight, along with other COVID-19 updates.

The safest way to celebrate the new year is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you or virtually with friends and family. If you’re celebrating New Year’s with people outside your household, make sure you take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear a mask.
• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) apart.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Get a flu shot as soon as possible.

Consider other activities to celebrate New Year’s, such as:

• Have virtual celebrations with loved ones.
• Plan a New Year’s party for the people who live with you.
• Plan a neighborhood countdown to midnight.
• Watch a live-streamed firework display, concert, First Night event, or other New Year’s programming from your home.

 

Participate in Outdoor and Indoor Activities

If you want to spend time with people who don’t live with you, the safer choice is to meet outdoors. You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities when you stay at least 6 feet from people who don’t live with you and limit your time around others. Remember to bring a mask with you to put on when you encounter people who may get closer than 6 feet, and follow local mask mandates.

 

New Variant Virus that Causes COVID-19 Detected

Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic. Since November 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) has reported a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in London and southeast England. This rapid increase in cases has been linked to a different version—or variant—of the virus that causes COVID-19. It is still very early in the identification of this variant, so we have a great deal to learn, and more studies are needed.

 

Photo credit: CDC

As you prepare for this year’s Thanksgiving feast, our Genesis Healthcare team is here to share how you can safely celebrate with those you love. If you plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside of your household, here are a few steps you can take to make your celebration safer:

• Wear a mask
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
• Wash your hands frequently

For more recommendations and tips, please see the full article at CDC.gov.

As you vote this November 3, our Genesis Healthcare team is here to remind you of some helpful tips to keep in mind as you vote to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The more prepared you are, the less time you may have to spend at the voting site and you can help protect yourself and others.

When voting, the CDC advises:

• avoid close contact: try to stay at least 6 feet apart of other people, especially those not wearing a mask
• wear a mask around others
• take care when touching surfaces and wash your hands often, or, if not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

For other helpful voting tips, visit CDC.gov.

Genesis cares about you and your family.

We have listed a few helpful tips to help your Trick or Treat experience be a safe one: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html