COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) is a disease caused by a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This was a new virus that had not caused illness in humans before. Worldwide, COVID-19 has resulted in over 270 million human infections, causing illness and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The widespread virus, which has caused over 800,000 United States deaths, has been reported in Anne Arundel County, Maryland with more than 55,000 cases and over 750 deaths.

What is the risk of COVID-19 in Anne Arundel County?

The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is a global pandemic. Federal, state and local governments have taken a comprehensive approach to keep Marylanders safe. For Maryland and Anne Arundel County confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, check the Maps. To slow the spread of COVID-19 and get the country back to normal, individuals will need to get vaccinated and practice healthy hygiene measures including frequent handwashing.

Who is at higher risk currently?

Unvaccinated people are at higher risk for COVID-19 than fully vaccinated individuals.

Unvaccinated older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.*

Based upon available information to date, those most at risk are listed at Medical Conditions and COVID-19.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is spread just like colds or flu through:

• coughing and sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets
• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching an object or surface with the virus on it

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The following symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache (new onset, severe headache, especially with a fever)
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• In more severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs)

There are other symptoms for COVID-19, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.

NOTE: Symptoms usually appear within 2–14 days from time of exposure. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms. Infected people without symptoms can still spread the disease. If you have concerns about any symptoms or possible exposure, call your health care provider or get tested. The Department of Health offers free rapid testing kits.

What are variants of COVID-19?

Viruses are constantly changing, including the virus that causes COVID-19. These changes occur over time and can lead to new strains of the virus or variants of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can help slow new variants from developing.

If someone has COVID-19, what will happen to them?

Most people recover from this infection. Close to 80 percent will have mild or moderate symptoms. People with any symptoms can use testing as an additional prevention strategy to assist in making decisions to further protect yourself and others. To lessen the severity of symptoms, people who have COVID-19 should get medical advice.

Some COVID-19 infections can lead to serious illness, and in some cases death. If someone has a more serious illness from COVID-19, they may be admitted to the hospital. Older people and those with pre-existing medical problems have a greater risk for serious illness. Examples of pre-existing medical problems are cancer, diabetes, heart disease, COPD or other conditions impacting the immune system’s ability to fight germs.

If I don’t have symptoms, but was recently in contact with someone who tested positive, what do I do?

Follow the CDC’s recommendations for respiratory virus guidance.

What can I do to protect myself and others?

The CDC recommends that all people use core prevention strategies to decrease the spread of respiratory viruses. These are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others:

• Stay up to date with immunizations
  • COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the Department of Health for eligible individuals. For appointments: AAHealth.org/covidvaccines
• Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)
• Take steps for cleaner air
• When you may have a respiratory virus:
  • Use precautions to prevent spread
  • Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness

Additional prevention strategies you can choose to further protect yourself and others include:

• Masks
• Physical distancing
• Tests

Should the general public wear face masks?

Face mask recommendations and other COVID prevention recommendations are based on the county’s COVID-19 hospitalization level as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Per CDC recommendations, a well-fitting face mask is recommended to be worn at the end of isolation when testing positive for COVID-19 or after being exposed to COVID-19. Face masks provide extra protection from COVID-19 and its variants for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Here are guidelines on face coverings.

How can people be tested for COVID-19?

Anne Arundel County residents can be tested by primary care providers, pharmacies. The Department of Health offers free rapid testing kits.

If I have COVID-19, can my pet get it?

The CDC states that at this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading COVID-19. Human transmission of COVID-19 to animals is considered to be low.

Is there anything else I should know?

• Do not stigmatize people of any ethnicity. People who have not had close contact with a person who is ill with COVID-19, are at no greater risk of this disease than you. Viruses do not target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial backgrounds.
• Stay informed and only get information from trusted, official sources. Be especially wary of myths, rumors, misinformation and scams circulating online and elsewhere.  Health information spread on social media is frequently inaccurate.

What is a bivalent COVID-19 booster?

Up to now, COVID-19 vaccines have targeted the original COVID-19 strain. As we know, COVID-19 variants have made the vaccines a little less effective over time. The new bivalent vaccine provides protection against both the original strain and the new Omicron BA.4/BA.5 variants. This provides broader protection against COVID-19 and is just like what happens with the flu vaccine every year.

What bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters have been recommended?

The CDC has recommended bivalent formulations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent is authorized for use as a single booster dose in children down to 6 months of age.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent is authorized for use as a single booster dose in children down to 6 months of age.

Is the bivalent COVID-19 booster safe?

The basic ingredients used in both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent boosters are the same as the original monovalent vaccine. Testing by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech of their original monovalent vaccines showed that the vaccines were safe. In reviewing the bivalent boosters, the FDA concluded that small changes in the vaccine target shouldn’t change the safety profile, in line with what is done with the flu vaccine.

Who is eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 booster?

Children down to 6 months of age who had their primary vaccine series or last booster more than 2 months ago are eligible for the bivalent booster. Children under 6 months of age are currently not authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses.

Will the new booster shots prevent COVID-19 infections completely?

The bivalent booster should be more effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms and the severe effects of COVID-19 than the original vaccine. But some people will still get and transmit COVID-19 even if they are vaccinated.

Are we allowed to mix and match vaccines for booster shots?  

Individuals 5 years of age and older are only able to mix and match vaccines for booster shots. Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions about your booster shot.

What does it mean to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations?

You have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC based on age, the vaccine you first received and time since the last dose.

Am I still able to get a first dose or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be our priority. The pharmacies and doctor’s offices still have many opportunities for you to get vaccinated. Please click here to schedule your first or second dose today!

Can I get my bivalent COVID-19 booster and my flu shot at the same time?

Yes! Currently the CDC and ACIP recommend that if a person is eligible, both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same visit, without regard to timing. If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, speak with a health care provider.

Where can I get the bivalent booster?

You can get the bivalent booster at the Department of Health by visiting www.aacounty.org/covidvax, pharmacies or from your health care provider.