COVID-19

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NOTE: Following the end of the national COVID-19 emergency declaration LDCPH will cease regular weekly updates at the end of April.

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Public health guidelines

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health continues to encourage vaccination and other safety measures to help lower the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. It is important for individuals to access their risk and take appropriate precautions.

These precautions include:

  • Get vaccinated. Anyone ages 5 and older is eligible for vaccination. Vaccinations are widely available at pharmacies and health clinics.
  • Get tested. COVID self-tests can protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading the virus that causes coronavirus. The CDC recommends testing at least five days after known or suspected close contact to COVID, before and after travel, or if you have symptoms. Symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.
  • Wear a face mask. The CDC recommends wearing a face mask when you are sick or caring for someone with COVID. You may choose to wear a mask that offers protection in certain situations such as when you are with people at higher risk for severe illness, or if you are at higher risk of severe illness. You may also want to consider a community's level of cases, hospitalizations and hospital beds used. You can find the CDC's tool for checking community levels here: Know Your COVID-19 Community Level.

THE CDC HAS UPDATED THEIR ISOLATION 

AND QUARANTINE GUIDANCE.

Click HERE to learn more about the changes.

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VISIT: www.COVIDtests.gov to request free testing kits for your entire family

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Pharmacies that offer the COVID-19 Vaccine
There are plenty of opportunities to get a COVID-19 vaccine from local pharmacies. They also might be able to accommodate an early morning or evening appointment if it works better for you. We have offered the list of pharmacies below. Contact them directly to learn about eligibility and how to sign up for an appointment.

 

Farmacias que ofrecen la vacuna contra el COVID-19

Hay muchas oportunidades para obtener una vacuna COVID-19 en las farmacias del Condado de Douglas. Las farmacias también pueden agendar una cita por la mañana o por la tarde si funciona mejor con su horario. Ofrecemos la lista de farmacias a continuación. Usted puede comunicarse con ellos directamente para obtener información sobre la elegibilidad y cómo inscribirse para una cita.


To find additional COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Go to  vaccines.gov/search, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

Transportation to COVID-19 Vaccine Sites

Anyone in need of transportation to a Douglas County vaccination appointment can call or text, Alan Welles, a licensed driving Instructor with Go Driving Lawrence, at 816-392-1218. He is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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  1. How do I get a vaccine?
  2. When will I be contacted to receive my second dose of the vaccine?
  3. I didn't receive a vaccine card at the clinic, what do I do?
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Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health developed a tool to help community members understand the level of COVID-19 transmission and make decisions for themselves and their families on how to mitigate risk. The Community Transmission Indicator replaces previous tools, including the School Reopening Guidance used during the 2020-21 school year. 

“We have developed these metrics based historically on what the community has seen with COVID,” said LDCPH Director Dan Partridge. “We want to ensure we are giving our community members guidance and tools to decide for themselves what they can do safely as individuals, based on how much of the virus is in the community and how quickly it is spreading.” 

The guidance will not replace any potential executive health orders, but it will allow health officers to provide guidance and recommendations to community members. Individuals are encouraged to take their own medical conditions, career, and living circumstances into account when deciding how they want to protect themselves.

Helpful Links

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

See also: The CDC's general COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus FAQ / Kansas Department of Health and Environment FAQ

 

How do I get the vaccine for myself or my child?

You can get vaccinated in our clinic at 200 Maine Street Suite B in Lawrence Kansas or visit vaccines.gov to find other providers. Anyone who is ages 5 and older is eligible for vaccination.

 

Is there a public health order in Douglas County?

No. The last public health order requiring masks in indoor spaces expired on March 2.

 

What will be the cost of getting vaccinated?

 The COVID-19 vaccine is free to all Kansans and no insurance is required. Health care facilities are permitted to bill your insurance for a vaccine administration fee, but Kansans are not responsible for covering this cost and should not be billed for this cost.

 

Who qualifies to receive a third dose?

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for people with certain health conditions that compromise their immune systems. Studies have shown that two doses may not have provided the desired protection for this group, who are more likely to get seriously ill with COVID-19. You may be eligible if you have:

  • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
  • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system (Check with your doctor to see if any of your medications qualify)
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress your immune system

Talk with your doctor about your medical condition and whether getting a third dose is appropriate for you.

 

When will the general public be able to get a booster shot?

All fully vaccinated individuals, ages 16 and older, are eligible for booster shots. Booster doses can be given six months after finishing the Moderna or Pfizer two-dose series or two months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

 

What do I do if I need a new vaccination card?

It's widely recommended to take a photograph of both sides of your vaccine card(s) as a backup copy You should also keep the original stored in a safe place where you can easily access it if needed. If you need a new vaccine card, the CDC recommends:

  • Going back to your vaccination site with your ID to see if they can give you a replacement
  • Contacting your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record
  • Contacting your health department's immunization information system (IIS), if you can't get to your vaccination provider. You can find Kansas' IIS information here or you can call 877-296-0464.
  • If you enrolled in V-safe or VaxText, you can access your vaccination information through those tools.
  •  

Contact info@ldchealth.org to ask a question.

 

  1. COVID-19 Information
  2. Smart & Safe: Reopening Douglas County
  3. Douglas County & Unified Command
  4. Daily Update Archive
  5. Additional Links

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What is COVID-19?

On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name for this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona’, ‘VI’ for ‘virus’, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.

 

There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practice for naming of new human infectious diseases.

 

How is COVID-19 Spread?

The virus is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person in respiratory droplets from someone who is infected. People who are infected often have symptoms of illness. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.

 

You can slow the spread by maintaining social distancing of 6 ft, by staying home except for essential activities, and limiting gatherings to less than 10 people. To protect yourself and those around you wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub frequently. Individuals should also clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

Symptoms:

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache 
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

Warning Signs:

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include (*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.):

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

 

You can check your symptoms using the Coronavirus Self-Checker on the CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html#cdc-chat-bot-open 

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Information For Individuals 

And Families


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