COVID-19

Contagious illnesses like seasonal flu, norovirus, pertussis (whooping cough), COVID-19 and RSV can spread quickly as people spend time together. Protect yourself and your community from contagious illnesses:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Cover your cough or sneeze with your arms or tissue.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Clean frequently touched surfaces.
5. Get tested if you feel sick.
6. Stay home when you are sick.
7. Wear a mask if you are sick and around others.
8. Stay up to date with vaccines.

Learn more about preventing respiratory illnesses.

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for the vaccine. 

This includes people who have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine before and people who have had COVID-19 in the past.

• The vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization and death.
• Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date.
• Getting the vaccine is important if you are high-risk.
• Vaccine safety and effectiveness.

Where to get your vaccine 

• Contact your primary health care provider.
• Contact your local pharmacy.

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Many people have mild illness and can recover at home in isolation.

• Learn more about symptoms – CDC

What to do when you are sick or test positive

• Stay home and away from others.
• Wear a mask if around others.
• Go back to normal activities after your symptoms improve and 24 hours have passed without a fever or use of medication to reduce fever.

Long COVID

While most people with COVID-19 will recover after a few weeks, others may have long-term symptoms or complications.

• Learn more about long COVID.
• Learn more about long COVID support options.

Testing is an important way to prevent getting others sick. Get tested if you have symptoms or been exposed to someone who is sick. 

Learn more about COVID-19 testing:

• Minnesota Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control

Where to get tested

• Take a self-testing kit at home.
• Visit a clinic, hospital or pharmacy.

Self-testing kit expiration dates

• The FDA has extended many COVID-19 Rapid Test expiration dates. 

People with underlying health conditions, weakened immune system or over the age of 50 may benefit from COVID-19 medications. Treatment needs to start as early as possible, so talk to a health care provider right away if you test positive. A health care provider will help determine which medication is best for you.

• Learn more about who should get COVID-19 medication.

Test to Treat

Test to Treat is a nationwide program where you can take a COVID-19 test and, if positive, be assessed by a provider on-site. If you are eligible for treatment, you can fill a prescription at the same time. Please bring a current list of medications and plan to spend one hour at the site. Some of these sites require appointments.

Find a provider using the Test to Treat locator.

Research COVID-19 data trends in Ramsey County and Minnesota:

• Find out how common the virus is in your community
• Vaccine data in Minnesota.

Videos, print materials and translated documents about COVID-19 – MDH

American Sign Language video series: COVID-19 - CDC