RESPIRATORY VIRUS INFORMATION

Looking for a seasonal flu shot? We've got you covered! Both adult and child shots available. Call 203-630-4234 to make your appointment.

We have a limited amount of COVID-19 home test kits available for Meriden residents. Call 203-630-4221 to arrange for pick up. We cannot provide bulk test kits to community organizations. 

Have a test kit at home? Check the FDA website to see if the expiration date has been extended.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Respiratory Virus Guidance which has been adopted by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH).

CDC’s guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower health risks posed by a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, Influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Respiratory Virus Guidance Preventing Spread CT DPH Press Release

 

RESPIRATORY VIRUS GUIDANCE SNAPSHOT

Core Prevention Strategies:

ADDITIONAL PREVENTION STRATEGIES

WHEN YOU MAY HAVE A RESPIRATORY VIRUS...‎

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.*

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and

  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you go back to your normal activities:

Take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

  • Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.

  • If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

 

DATA: 

Looking for the local snapshot on respiratory virus data in New Haven county? Click here for the CDC Respiratory Data Illness Channel, updated every Friday with information on COVID-19, Flu, and RSV in our county.

Locally, here is what is being reported in CT EDSS, the state disease surveillance system, for Meriden (confirmed cases only, data is subject to change). Please note seasonal surveillance will end with the month of March.