As the weather gets colder, the number of COVID-19 cases will likely trend upward and the response and the cost associated with the disease may be a little bit different.
SALT LAKE CITY — In the last year, COVID-19 has lost a lot of the spotlight it once had, which means as the weather gets colder and the number of COVID-19 cases likely trends upward, the response and the costs associated with the disease may be a little bit different.
George said COVID-19 helped people take measures that benefited community health, like staying home when they were sick and washing hands. She said at the beginning of the COVID-19 era a lot of other diseases were "practically nonexistent" because people were being so careful about washing their hands and cleaning high-touch surfaces.
Dr. Leisha Nolen, Utah's state epidemiologist, said the CDC recommendations for COVID-19 have not changed, and people should treat it the same as they have before. That guidance includes, isolating for five days after a positive test and wearing a mask for five days after ending that quarantine, and testing six days after being exposed.
George said they also still watch hospitalizations, but it is a "lagging indicator" that gives more information about severity. She said there will also be some programs that will offer the vaccine to people with no insurance or whose plans do not cover the vaccine. She suggested going to local health departments, community health centers and some Walgreen and CVS pharmacies for the vaccine.
George said the county health department strongly advocates vaccines, for COVID-19, the flu and RSV, for those they are approved for.