Wyandotte County Health Department COVID-19 Guidance and information

Published on August 31, 2023

We wanted to share some guidance and information with you regarding COVID-19. 

What to do if you are ill

• Symptoms of COVID-19 can be wide-ranging and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headaches, sore throat, congestion, changes in taste or smell, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, consider testing yourself at home using a rapid antigen home test or seek out testing at a testing location (see below for additional information on testing)
• If you have symptoms of respiratory illness, consider staying home or wearing a mask around others indoors

What to do if you test positive

• If you test positive for COVID-19, you must stay home and isolate away from other people for 5 days after your symptoms began, or if no symptoms, 5 days from when you tested positive
• If after 5 days your symptoms have improved, and you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication), you may end isolation
• If your symptoms are severe or you have a weakened immune system, you may need to isolate for longer than 5 days and should consult your doctor
• Even after ending your isolation after 5 days, you must continue to wear a mask when indoors around other people for 10 days after your symptoms began, or if no symptoms, 10 days from when you tested positive
• If you have COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick (older adults, unvaccinated, certain medical conditions, weakened immune system), there are treatment options that can reduce the risk of hospitalization or serious illness. Treatment must be started right away, so reach out to your doctor if you have COVID-19

What to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19

• Wear a mask for 10 days after your exposure when indoors around other people
• Monitor for symptoms
• If you develop symptoms, stay home and get tested
• Get tested approximately 5-7 days after you were last exposed even if you have no symptoms (or test immediately if you develop any symptoms)

Testing information

• There are multiple options for free testing in Wyandotte County
• Information on testing locations and where to obtain free home tests can be found at this link https://www.wycokck.org/Departments/Health/Communicable-Disease/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information/COVID-19-Testing
• Home tests can also be purchased at most pharmacies for $10-20

Vaccination information

• The Health Department recommends everyone 6 months and older stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines
• To be up-to-date, everyone 6 months and older should receive 1 updated bivalent booster
• Those who are 65 and older or immunocompromised can receive an additional dose
• It is expected that a newer, updated booster will be available in the fall and the Health Department recommends individuals get this vaccine when it is available
• The Health Department continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines by appointment on Tuesdays, 9am-4:30pm and Thursdays, 9am-5:30pm
• Individuals can also find other vaccine locations by going to www.vaccines.gov

For more information on COVID-19, please see the Wyandotte County Health Department COVID-19 Information Hub at www.wycokck.org/covid