COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

May 11, 2023, marks the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE declaration. After this date, CDC’s authorizations to collect certain types of public health data will expire.

The United States has mobilized and sustained a historic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a nation, we now find ourselves at a different point in the pandemic – with more tools and resources than ever before to better protect ourselves and our communities.

CDC has been working for many months to fold the agency’s COVID-19 emergency response activities into its existing structure and programs, as part of an ongoing transition to sustainable public health practice. The agency has also been working with partners, including states and local territories, to prepare for the end of the PHE declaration and communicate updated reporting requirements and cadences.

While reporting frequency and source data for some metrics will shift when the PHE declaration ends, CDC will continue to report valuable data to inform individual and community public health actions to protect those at highest risk of severe COVID-19. Our priority remains providing the information necessary to protect the nation’s public health.

What Does the End of the PHE Mean for You?

Most tools, like vaccines, treatments, and testing, will remain available. But, some tools, like certain data sources and reporting, will change.

Vaccines will remain available. Access to COVID-19 vaccines will generally not be affected for now. The U.S. government is currently distributing free COVID-19 vaccines for all adults and children.  To help keep communities safe from COVID-19, HHS remains committed to maximizing continued access to COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 at-home tests may not be covered by insurance. Insurance providers will no longer be required to waive costs or provide free COVID-19 tests. CDC’s No Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator can help people find current community and pharmacy partners participating in the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.

Treatments will remain available. Medication to prevent severe COVID-19, such as Paxlovid, will remain available for free while supplies last. After that, the price will be determined by the medication manufacturer and your health insurance coverage. Check with your healthcare provider if you need early treatment to prevent severe COVID-19.

National reporting of COVID-19. We have the right data for this phase of COVID-19 that will allow us to understand what’s happening with the virus in America in real-time. Simply put, while what we have going forward will be different, it will still allow CDC, local public health officials, and the members of the public to understand COVID-19 dynamics at the community level.

The City of St. Joseph Health Department continues to make COVID-19 vaccinations available for those aged 6 months and older, monitor COVID-19-related data, and remain ready to increase our response efforts should the situation warrant. We recommend citizens stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. 

The City of St. Joseph continues to closely monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) regarding COVID-19. 

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SENIOR SERVICES  

Find Missouri testing options or go to vaccine.gov for additional vaccine options; you may also call the hotline for testing and vaccine information.

VACCINE 

In Missouri, anyone who meets age and medical eligibility is able to receive a vaccine. The City of St. Joseph Health Department clinic offers Pfizer brand vaccine 8:00 -11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Vaccine may also be available at your primary care provider, area pharmacies, or at vaccine.gov .

The federal government continues to test the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure safety and open up the opportunity for more people to get vaccinated. The goal of public health is to protect communities and the best way to do that with regard to coronavirus is to vaccinate as many people as possible. For further review, we advise using reliable resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Health and Human Services (HHS). 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect your child from getting COVID-19, and also help keep your child from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your eligible children vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 ILLNESS 

COVID-19 is still making people sick in our community. When someone gets sick with coronavirus, it is very important to follow established guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, it is important to test for the presence of the virus and to isolate from others until you get test results (whether you take a home test or at a clinic/testing site). If your test is positive, you have COVID-19 and you should stay home and away from others, even people within your house. Contact your primary care provider about treatment options; and if you took a home test, notify them of your positive test result. Only leave home for medical care. Notify anyone you were around in the two days prior to feeling sick so they can watch for symptoms in themselves. Monitor your symptoms and seek medical care if your symptoms worsen, especially respiratory (breathing) issues. Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 and if someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

*Trouble breathing

*Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

*New confusion

*Inability to wake or stay awake

*Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Deciding when you can be around others is different for different situations. Find out when you can safely end home isolation.

The CDC website has detailed instructions for those who are sick with COVID-19. 

The positive case is responsible for calling people they may have exposed during the time they are considered to be contagious.