Protect Yourself and Your Family from Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Consistent with the State's implementation of CDC guidance, masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals. Further, the State's health guidelines continue to be in effect for large-scale indoor event venues, pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines.

Even when rates of COVID-19 are low and many people at least partially vaccinated, COVID-19 transmission is still possible.  You can help protect yourself and your family by following these steps and encouraging them to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Everyone should:

• Follow all current guidance about mask wearing  and social gatherings
• Get vaccinated if eligible
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before you eat.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue and discard it in a closed container.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects

For people who feel sick or have symptoms of COVID-19:

• Stay home, away from others.
• Don’t go to work or school.
• Talk to a healthcare provider.
• Get tested for COVID-19.

For people who test positive for COVID-19:

• Talk to your health care provider and stay home in isolation. Stay away from others. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by notifying your close contacts that they have been exposed.  
• Talk to your local contact tracer. Contact Tracers work with people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to identify people they have had contact with and let them know they may have been exposed to the disease. 

Find additional information on the New York State Contact Tracing Program.

• If your test result is negative, and your health care provider no longer suspects COVID-19, but you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you need to stay in quarantine for 10 days and monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Stay home. Stay away from others. 
• Keep sick household members away from others, in a separate room, if possible.
• Avoid sharing personal items.

Anyone at high risk for complications should talk to their healthcare provider for more information.

Monitor Your Symptoms. Common symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• New loss of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Emergency Warning Signs Include:

• Trouble breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest that doesn’t go away
• Experience confusion or trouble waking up
• Bluish lips or face

Call for medical attention immediately.

*This list is not a complete list. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.