As the holidays wind down, Greene County Medical Center and Greene County public health urge community residents to be cautious about the spread of Covid-19. After the holidays you may be exposed to Covid-19 or find that you have symptoms similar to that of Covid-19 and might be wondering what steps to take.
On Dec. 27, 2021, the CDC updated recommendations for shortened times for isolation and quarantine, based on the most current understanding of Covid-19 and the Omicron variant, which is spreading rapidly. Greene County public health makes the following recommendations for the general public regarding Covid-19.
- If you believe you were exposed to someone with Covid-19, and you have been boosted or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months, or completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson within the last two months:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Get a Covid-19 test on day five.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home.
- If you believe you were exposed to someone with Covid-19, and you have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine OVER six months ago and are NOT boosted, or completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson OVER two months ago and are NOT boosted, or are unvaccinated:
- Stay home and quarantine for five days; after that continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for five additional days.
- If you cannot quarantine, wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days.
- Test on day five.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home.
- If you test positive for Covid-19, regardless of vaccination status,
- Stay home and isolate from others.
- After five days, if you have no symptoms, or your symptoms are resolving, you may leave your home while wearing a well-fitting mask around other for five additional days.
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Many testing options are available in Greene County. Patients can always call their primary care physician with questions or for testing. To alleviate potential spread it is recommended if you are asymptomatic to call pharmacies and Public Health for rapid tests or take home tests, and avoid primary care clinics and the ER. If you are symptomatic please contact your physician or primary care clinic. If you are experiencing shortness of breath or other severe symptoms, please contact your physician or present to the ER.
If you are in need of Covid-19 testing because you have been exposed and are NOT symptomatic you can get tested at the following locations.
- Medicap Pharmacy, Jefferson – Call 515-386-3264 (Rapid tests available).
- Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Jefferson – Call 515-386-4151 (Rapid tests available).
- Greene County public health, Jefferson – Call 515-386-3228 (Free take-home test kits only).
If you are in need of Covid-19 testing because you have been exposed and ARE symptomatic you can get tested at the following locations.
- Medicap Pharmacy, Jefferson – Call 515-386-3264 (Rapid tests available).
- Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Jefferson – Call 515-386-4151 (Rapid tests available).
- Greene County public health, Jefferson – Call 515-386-3228 (Free take-home test kits only).
- Greene County Family Medicine Clinic, Jefferson – Call 515-386-0500 (Primary care providers can give both Rapid and PCR tests).
- McFarland Clinic, Jefferson – Call 515-386-4192.
To schedule an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccination, first dose, second dose, or a booster shot, with Greene County Public Health go to https://hipaa.jotform.com/203558336058156 or call 515-386-3228.
