Author: COVID-19 NEWS

Printable Resources

CDC encourages employers to collaborate with health departments when investigating workplace exposures to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Quick and coordinated actions, including case investigation and contact tracing, may lower the need for business closures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Employers’ involvement with the official health department case investigation or contact tracing process may vary. It will depend on the authorities, responsibilities, and capacities of their health departments; federal, state, and local laws and regulations; and the level of interest and capacity of the employer. Employers may consult with their company’s human resources, legal, medical, and occupational safety and health guidance, policy and other resources to help them develop and implement their COVID-19 preparedness, response, and control plan.
CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Businesses and Workplaces webpage provides information to help businesses limit the spread of COVID-19 within the workplace. This document provides tips and considerations for how employers can partner with state, tribal, local, or territorial (STLT) health departments and work with their employees in these COVID-19 response efforts.
What employers should know about COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing
COVID-19 is a nationally notifiable diseaseexternal icon, and when diagnosed or identified, must be reported by healthcare providers and laboratories to STLT health departments. Health departments are responsible for leading case investigations, contact tracing, and outbreak investigations. Case investigation is the identification and investigation of individuals with confirmed and probable diagnoses of a reportable communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Contact tracing follows case investigation and is a process to identify, monitor, and support individuals who may have been exposed to a person with a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Health departments also administer communicable disease control measures within their jurisdictions to protect public health. This includes working with patients and contacts on isolation (separation of people infected with the virus from people who are not infected) and quarantine (separation of people who might have been exposed to COVID-19 from others). Given the large number of COVID-19 cases reported to health departments, coupled with how easily and quickly the virus is spreading, health department resources can be overwhelmed. When requested by the health department, employer assistance may aid in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 in the work environment.
Employer involvement
When health department personnel investigate a case, they will ask the patient questions about work status and work environment, about persons they have been in close contact with, and locations visited during the time they could have spread COVID-19 to others. If the health department learns a person is a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 and was in a workplace where close contact with others (employees, customers, or community members) may have occurred, the health department may contact the employer, employees, or customers to let them know of potential exposures. Confidential information about the infected individual, including their name and other personal identifying information, will be safeguarded and not be revealed without their permission. Employers can assist the health department by providing further identification of potential contacts who worked in the same area and on the same shift, hosting a site visit for health department personnel to observe the workplace in order to make workplace-operation recommendations to help prevent further spread of the virus, and facilitating communication with employees.
The level of interaction between the health department and an employer will vary depending on several factors, such as the size and type of workplace, the number of cases impacting the workplace, the health department’s capacity, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
In general, when a COVID-19 case is identified that impacts a workplace, the health department may ask the employer for help in a number of ways, including:
Ask the employer for help in understanding the risk for transmission in the workplace and identifying exposures and contacts in the workplace. This may include health department-initiated interviews, site visits, and record reviews to identify close contacts who may have been exposed to the virus better understand risks for transmission within the workplace (e.g., barriers to social distancing or use of cloth face coverings).
Rely on the employer to identify workplace contacts. While this is not typical, some health departments have or may initiate agreements with employers with occupational health or medical programs or trained occupational safety and health staff who are able to formally and confidentially carry out some aspects of contact tracing in the workplace. In such situations, to protect employees’ privacy, health departments will take responsibility for case investigation and contact tracing outside of the workplace. If employers are interested in this type of agreement, they should contact their health department in advance to discuss the possibility and details of this option.
Conduct workplace contact tracing without directly engaging the employer. The health department may decide they do not need assistance or information from the employer because the risk of further workplace transmission is low. Another reason is the health department may not have the resources to follow up with the employer. They also may not be permitted to involve an employer because local or state privacy laws may limit third-party involvement in contact tracing without the case patient’s consent.
Preparing to collaborate with the health department
What employers can do to assist in the response to COVID-19:
Establish a COVID-19 coordinator or team. Employers may find it useful to identify a coordinator or a team to oversee COVID-19 related activities. The COVID-19 coordinator/team should serve as a resource to the health department and the workplace as the primary point of contact for coordinating all COVID-19 activities. The COVID-19 coordinator/team should help to develop and put into action the hazard assessment activities discussed below.

While the employer’s COVID-19 coordinator/team can aid the health department when requested to carry out some contact tracing activities among their employees, they do not have the authorities to perform all aspects of these functions without consultation with the health department. For instance, employers can limit entry into the workplace by employees based on the employer’s fitness-for-duty policies, but employers cannot ask about workers’ activities or contacts outside of work.

Create and implement a preparedness, response, and control plan. Employers can use the guidance from CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Businesses and Workplaces web page to create a COVID-19 preparedness, response, and control plan. Making this plan will help employers evaluate the risk and decide on actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Having the plan will also allow employers to rapidly gather employee and workplace records, when needed, to assist possible health department-initiated case investigations and contact tracing. The employer may also decide to distribute this plan throughout their business.
Collect information about the workplace. One of the most useful things an employer can do is to prepare and quickly provide information and records to the health department about the workplace, potential workplace contacts, and, when needed, workplace operations, without revealing confidential personnel records or business information. Examples of useful information to have on hand can be found in the Interim Customizable Non-Healthcare Workplace Infection Control Assessment and Response (WICAR) tool — Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Support employees and conduct workplace hazard evaluation and prevention activities. As noted in the CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), May 2020, employers must provide a safe and healthy workplaceexternal icon free from known hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. If an employee, customer, or a visitor in the workplace has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, self-reports a COVID-19 diagnosis, or close contact with someone with confirmed or probable COVID-19, an employer should quickly take action by conducting workplace hazard evaluation and prevention activities. These actions will help limit the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
COVID-19 is a new hazard in the workplace, employers should also consider carrying out relevant hazard assessmentexternal icon that can help identify potential hazards related to COVID-19. Employers should then use proper hierarchy of controls methods to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace setting.

Communicate with employees. Employers should inform employees that the health department will contact persons diagnosed with COVID-19 or those in close contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19. Employers should encourage employees to work with the health department to discuss their illness, exposures, and contacts so the health department can limit further spread of COVID-19.
If employers are notified of a case of or exposure to COVID-19, they must adhere to workplace and medical privacy laws and protections. Employers should also tell employees that when the health department notifies people who were exposed in the workplace (contacts), they will only share that they may have been exposed to COVID-19; they will not share names or any personal or medical information of the case with contacts. The health department will offer recommendations for testing and quarantine based on that exposure.

Step 2b: Assessing Self-Quarantine Support Needs
Emphasis should be placed on helping contacts identify any need for social support during self-quarantine.
Self-quarantine of close contacts exposed to COVID-19 prevents transmission to others and is critical to the success of case investigation and contact tracing efforts. For most, self-quarantine can take place at home. If possible, contacts should be asked to voluntarily stay home, monitor themselves, and maintain social distance from others. The timeframe for self-quarantine is 14 days following the last day of exposure to a patient with COVID-19, to ensure that the contact does not get sick themselves and spread the virus to others. Adherence to self-quarantine instructions may depend on the support provided to contacts.
Self-quarantine requires that a contact remain in a specific room separate from other non-exposed people and pets in the home, and ideally with access to a separate bathroom. First and foremost, the contact tracer should assess an individual’s ability to self-quarantine in a safe environment that provides access to a private room and bathroom, as well as access to adequate food and water among other considerations. For a portion of the US population, self-quarantine at home will be a challenge. It will be particularly difficult for some of the most vulnerable populations.
Considerations must also be made for close contacts who express fear of abuse or violence if they must self-quarantine at home. Additionally, some contacts (e.g., single parents, nursing mothers, parents with children and toddlers, and other primary caregivers) may face other challenges, such as childcare or dependent adult care, that may affect their ability to self-quarantine. Social services, housing and other supportive services will be needed for those contacts who are unable to separate themselves from others in their current living situation. See Support Services for further considerations.
Close contacts will also need to be supported with health coaching to ensure daily monitoring of temperature and the onset of any COVID-19 symptoms and have access to clinical services should symptoms appear. Coordination of access to telehealth services may be needed for contacts without virtual access to a primary care provider. All close contacts entering a 14-day self-quarantine period should be provided a COVID-19 kit with the following resources*:
*The composition of the COVID-19 kit will depend on the jurisdiction’s resources.

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread COVID-19 to other people including your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.
Don’t travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.

Wear Masks During Travel
CDC strongly recommends everyone wear a mask on public transportation.
This recommendation includes passengers and workers on airplanes, trains, ships, ferries, subways, taxis, and ride shares, and at transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Click here for more information. 

Holiday Travel
Find out how to keep yourself and your family safer when you celebrate fall and winter holidays.
If you are planning to travel for an upcoming holiday, see CDC’s information about Holiday Celebrations.

Before You Travel
Before you travel, consider the following:
Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.
Check Each State’s Cases in the Last 7 Days
Travel Recommendations for Destinations Around the World
Do you live with someone who might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the virus to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Are you at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19, but older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers?Some state, local, and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks and requiring those who recently traveled to stay home for up to 14 days. Check state, territorial, tribal and local public health websites for information before you travel. If you are traveling internationally, check the destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information pageexternal icon for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.
If You Travel
During your trip, take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

Considerations for Types of Travel
Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Your chances of getting COVID-19 while traveling also depend on whether you and those around you take steps to protect yourself and others, such as wearing masks and staying 6 feet away from people outside your household (social distancing). Airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces. These are also places where it can be hard to social distance. In general, the longer you are around a person with COVID-19, the more likely you are to get infected.

Air travel

Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and sitting within 6 feet of others, sometimes for hours, may increase your risk of getting COVID-19.
Also consider how you get to and from the airport, as public transportation and ridesharing can increase your chances of being exposed to the virus.

Bus or train travel

Traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet of others, which may increase your risk of getting COVID-19. If you choose to travel by bus or train, learn what you can do to protect yourself on public transportation.

Car travel

Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and frequently-touched surfaces.

You may have to stop less often for food or bathroom breaks, but RV travel usually means staying at RV parks overnight and getting gas and supplies at other public places. These stops may put you and those with you in the RV in close contact with others.
Learn more about how to protect yourself from COVID-19 on different types of transportation

Know When to Delay your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19
People who are sick, have recently tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, or have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 should delay travel. Learn when and for how long to delay travel to avoid spreading COVID-19.

How Are Companies Protecting Customers from COVID-19?
When planning travel, you may want to check companies’ websites to see what they are doing to protect customers from COVID-19. Things to look for include:
Requiring people to wear a mask
Promoting social distancing
Using online or contactless reservations and check-in
Using contactless payment
Enhanced cleaning procedures

Tips to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19 in common travel situations:
In public:
Bathrooms and rest stops:
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and after you have been in a public place.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Getting gas:
Use disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons at the gas pumps before you touch them (if available).
After fueling, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. When you get to your destination, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Hotels and accommodations:
Food stops:
Anticipate Your Travel Needs
Bring a mask to wear in public places and on public transportation.
Pack hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Keep this within reach.
Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
Pack food and water in case restaurants and stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options aren’t available.
If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see CDC’s guidance on how to clean and disinfect.
Check Travel Restrictions
State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place, including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine requirements upon arrival. Follow state, local, and territorial travel restrictions. For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state, territorial, tribal and local health department where you are, along your route, and where you are going. Prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travel.
If traveling internationally or across international borders, check with the destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information pageexternal icon for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine. Local policies at your destination may require you to be tested for COVID-19 before you are allowed to enter the country. If you test positive on arrival, you may be required to isolate for a period of time. You may even be prevented from returning to the United States, as scheduled.
After You Travel
You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can be contagious without symptoms and spread the virus to others. You and your travel companions (including children) pose a risk to your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus. Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting sick after you return:
When around others, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household. It is important to do this everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.
Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are outside of your home.
Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
Watch your health and look for symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if you feel sick.
Follow state, territorial, tribal and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
Higher Risk Activities
Some types of travel and activities can put you at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 (see list below).  If you participated in higher risk activities or think that you may have been exposed before or during your trip, take extra precautions (in addition the ones listed above) to protect others for 14 days after you arrive:
What activities are considered higher risk?
Here are examples of activities and situations that can increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19:
Being in an area that is experiencing high levels of COVID-19, including destinations with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. You can check the Travel Health Notices for recommendations for places you have traveled, including foreign countries and U.S. territories.  You can also check states, counties, and cities to determine if these areas are experiencing high levels of COVID-19.
Going to a large social gathering like a wedding, funeral, or party.
Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade.
Being in crowds — for example, in restaurants, bars, airports, bus and train stations, or movie theaters.
Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat.
If you know that you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, postpone further travel. If you get any symptoms of COVID-19, see What to Do If You Are Sick.

Social distancing may make some people feel socially or culturally isolated, and possibly lead to loneliness, depression and poor health. It is important to use other non-physical ways to connect with family and friends, like sending a letter, phone calls, video calls, or social media. Exercising in or around your home or yard and sitting or working outside, close to home, can also help.
Social distancing to stay healthy and safe may prevent people from following some traditional and ceremonial practices. This may be especially relevant for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, but it is very important to use social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Below are some ways to cope with social distancing (also known as physical distancing) and the stress COVID-19 may cause:
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic continuously can be upsetting.
Take care of your body and mind. Take deep breaths, meditate, stretch, and exercise regularly.
Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Get plenty of sleep.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Connect with others online or on the phone and talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Make time to relax and do activities you enjoy that can be done while social distancing.
Coping with stress during a COVID-19 outbreak will make you, your loved ones, and your community stronger. Learn more.

People who need help or know someone that needs help with stress or anxiety can contact the Disaster Distress Helplineexternal icon at 1-800-985-5990, or talk to a counselor or social worker that may be available in your area.

Preparing Your Family and Household for COVID-19

Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
You will be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy when you follow the link.
CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

For more information on CDC’s web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.

Leandris Liburd (middle) is CDC’s chief health equity officer. She is seen here with (from left to right) CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield, Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Jay Butler, CDC’s deputy director for infectious diseases.

If you’ve wondered why many more Black and Brown people get COVID-19 and die of it than other people in the United States, Leandris Liburd might tell you a story about someone you already know. Leandris might call her “Marjorie.”
Marjorie could be that cashier you chat with or your grandfather’s favorite nursing aide in a long-term care center. Marjorie is Black, about 47, and despite following public health guidance as best she can, she will test positive for COVID-19.
Marjorie is not an actual person, but she symbolizes people Leandris advocates for as chief health equity officer in CDC’s COVID-19 response – groups of people at increased risk for the disease. They include Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native, and Black people, and although each community is unique, many people in these groups have suffered much more in the pandemic.
They are more than 2.5 times as likely as White people in the United States to get COVID-19 and on average about five times as likely to be hospitalized, according to CDC data. They are more likely to die from the disease, particularly Black patients, who are twice as likely to die.
To help CDC develop recommendations that work better for people in highly burdened communities, Leandris researches their specific public health needs and informs colleagues about those needs. In the three months since she took on her newly created role, work for her team has piled high.
“My days start early and end late, and I work into the weekends. Emails keep flooding in,” says Leandris, who herself is Black.
When she speaks in webinars, thousands attend, and then requests arrive for her to do more. The workload would have worn on Leandris in the past. But now, it energizes her because many more public health professionals are clamoring to hear what she has to say about the health inequities people like Marjorie face.
“It gives me life to be able to play such a central role in this response,” Leandris says.
Data guides all of her work, but compassion drives it, and Leandris, who is a medical anthropologist, believes in the power of storytelling. To help you understand why Marjorie will not be able to avoid getting COVID-19, Leandris might ask you to picture Marjorie ringing up 100 shoppers in a checkout lane before taking the bus home to her tight-knit family.
“They live in a small three-bedroom house, where the grandmother has her own room, three teen daughters share one, and the parents have one,” Leandris says. “Grandma has high blood pressure and diabetes and sometimes needs a walker, and Marjorie’s husband drives a truck.”
Their jobs put Marjorie and her husband in contact with many people, some of whom don’t wear masks. Their managers don’t always mandate good practices to limit exposure to COVID-19.
The family’s rainy-day fund is sparse, and their employers don’t offer paid sick leave or health insurance. Grandma helps keep the household afloat by watching the girls and running the kitchen, and that family cohesion makes life beautiful.
“Grandma doesn’t face loneliness and can pass her knowledge down to the teenagers along with stories about family history,” Leandris says. “We at CDC need to be very sensitive to how people live in their communities and find ways to help them be safe in their own environment.”
Marjorie gets a cough and tests positive for COVID-19. She’d isolate away from home to protect grandma but can’t find guidance anywhere on how to do that or how to get food while she does.
She’ll lose at least two weeks of pay and maybe her job, so Marjorie’s husband stays on the road to keep money coming in, even though he’s worried sick. He refuses to get a COVID-19 test.
“In my community, some people are hesitant to get tested because they’re afraid a positive result will make them miss work. Missing a paycheck or two could easily make them go under financially,” Leandris says.
Grandma will care for the teens, but what if she falls? Many families, including White families, face predicaments like the one Marjorie’s family does during COVID-19, but in these vulnerable groups, a disproportionate number of people end up in acute crises, Leandris says.
Leandris is at least indirectly affected by health disparities herself. Her sister is on dialysis and leads a small household with a daughter and three grandbabies.
“I worry about my sister every single day,” Leandris says. “My niece works in a long-term care facility and comes home every evening. I’m as anxious as the next person to get to the end of this pandemic.”
Leandris is thankful that CDC research revealed the disproportionate suffering in COVID-19 by people historically and currently disadvantaged because of race.
“In an unfortunate way, COVID-19 has given us a new opportunity to rigorously learn so much more about what drives health inequities,” Leandris says.

Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
You will be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy when you follow the link.
CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

For more information on CDC’s web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.

Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
You will be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy when you follow the link.
CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

For more information on CDC’s web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.

Summary of Recent Changes
Revisions were made on October 6, 2020 to reflect recent data supporting increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 among adults with COVID-19 who have obesity, who have overweight, or who smoke or have a history of smoking. These revisions also make the document more explicit about data and implications for adults and for children. The listed underlying medical conditions in children were also revised to indicate that these conditions might increase risk to better reflect the quality of available data currently. This reflects the fact that there are less data available for children and does not imply that children are not at risk. We are learning more about COVID-19 every day, and as new information becomes available, CDC will update the information below. ​

Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:
Adults of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:
COVID-19 is a new disease. Currently there are limited data and information about the impact of underlying medical conditions and whether they increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Based on what we know at this time, adults of any age with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:
Want to see the evidence behind these lists?

While children have been less affected by COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and some children develop severe illness. Children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness compared to children without underlying medical conditions. Current evidence on which underlying medical conditions in children are associated with increased risk is limited. Children with the following conditions might be at increased risk for severe illness: obesity, medical complexity, severe genetic disorders, severe neurologic disorders, inherited metabolic disorders, congenital (since birth) heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression due to malignancy or immune-weakening medications.
We do not yet know who is at increased risk for developing the rare but serious complication associated with COVID-19 in children called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), nor do we know what causes MIS-C. Learn about MIS-C.

The list of underlying conditions is meant to inform clinicians to help them provide the best care possible for patients, and to inform individuals as to what their level of risk may be so they can make individual decisions about illness prevention. We are learning more about COVID-19 every day. This list is not exhaustive and only includes conditions with sufficient evidence to draw conclusions; it is a living document that may be updated at any time, subject to potentially rapid change as the science evolves.

Reduce your risk of getting COVID-19
It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.
The best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 is to:
If you start feeling sick and think you may have COVID-19, get in touch with your healthcare provider within 24 hours.
Venturing out into a public setting? What to consider before you go.
As communities and businesses across the United States are opening, you may be thinking about resuming some activities, running errands, and attending events and gatherings. There is no way to ensure you have zero risk of infection, so it is important to understand the risks and know how to be as safe as possible.
People at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, should consider their level of risk before deciding to go out and ensure they are taking steps to protect themselves. Consider avoiding activities where taking protective measures may be difficult, such as activities where social distancing can’t be maintained. Everyone should take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 to protect themselves, their communities, and people who are at increased risk of severe illness.
In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.
If you decide to engage in public activities, continue to protect yourself by practicing everyday preventive actions.
Keep these items on hand and use them when venturing out: a mask, tissues, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible.
If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear masks.
Are you considering in-person visits with family and friends? Here are some things to consider to help make your visit as safe as possible:
When to delay or cancel a visit
In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. So, think about:
How many people will you interact with?
Can you keep 6 feet of space between you and others?
Will you be outdoors or indoors?
What’s the length of time that you will be interacting with people?
Encourage social distancing during your visit
Visit with your friends and family outdoors, when possible. If this is not feasible, make sure the room or space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows or doors) and large enough to accommodate social distancing.
Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing. People from the same household can be in groups together and don’t need to be 6 feet apart from each other.
Consider activities where social distancing can be maintained, like sidewalk chalk art or yard games.
Try to avoid close contact with your visitors. For example, don’t shake hands, elbow bump, or hug. Instead wave and verbally greet them.
If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear masks.
Consider keeping a list of people you visited or who visited you and when the visit occurred. This will help with contact tracing if someone becomes sick.
Wear masks
Masks should be worn over the nose and mouth. Masks are especially important when it is difficult to stay at least 6 feet apart from others or when people are indoors to help protect each other.
Masks may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others
Wearing a mask helps protects others in case you’re infected, while others wear one to protect you should they be infected.

Who should NOT use masks: Children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Wash hands often
Everyone should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds at the beginning and end of the visit and whenever you think your hands may have become contaminated.
If soap and water are not readily available, such as with outdoor visits or activities, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Remind guests to wash or sanitize their hands before serving or eating food.
Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so visitors do not share towels. Have a no-touch trash can available for guests to use.
Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items
Encourage your visitors to bring their own food and drinks.
Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use.
If you choose to use any shared items that are reusable (e.g., seating covers, tablecloths, linen napkins), wash, clean, and sanitize them after the event.
If you are thinking about participating in an event or gathering:
If you are at increased risk for severe illness, consider avoiding high-risk gatherings. The risk of COVID-19 spreading at events and gatherings increases as follows:
Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.
More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear masks, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).
Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.
Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.
Stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Staying healthy during the pandemic is important. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether your vaccinations and other preventive services are up to date to help prevent you from becoming ill with other diseases.
It is particularly important for those at increased risk of severe illness, including older adults, to receive recommended vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal disease.
Talk with your healthcare provider about maintaining preventive services like cancer screenings during the pandemic.
Remember the importance of staying physically active and practicing healthy habits to cope with stress.
If you have a medical emergency, do not delay seeking emergency care.
 If you have an underlying medical condition, you should continue to follow your treatment plan:
Continue your medicines and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
Have at least a 30-day supply of prescription and non-prescription medicines. Talk to a healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than 30 days) of prescription medicines, if possible, to reduce your trips to the pharmacy.
Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying medical condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments have contingency infection prevention plans to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care.
Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19. If you need emergency help, call 911 right away.
If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health centerexternal icon or health department.

box tissue light icon

Protect Your Health This Flu Season

Getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Flu vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk from flu; many of whom are also at high risk for COVID-19 or serious outcomes.