Quick Facts and Updates

Free At-Home Tests

Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests starting on January 18, 2021. You can only order one package of four rapid tests per household. You will need to provide the following information:

First name
Last name
Household address

Order your FREE at-home tests from the USPS here.

NOTE: Your order cannot use a place of business address.

Get tested and stay safe!

Vaccines

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and approval in the United States here.

Find information on the COVID-19 Vaccine and Equity Project here.

Other accessible and easy to understand resources can be found at COVID Straight Talk.

COVID-19 General Information

What is Coronavirus COVID-19?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person.
The virus is prevalent throughout the world (pandemic).
COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness.
Learn more about COVID-19 from the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization.

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

‍People with these symptoms or a combination of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sorethroat
New loss of taste or smell

Children may have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness. If you have pets, see the CDC's page on COVID and pets or COVID-19 and Animals Frequently Asked Questions.

This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning you.

High-Risk Populations

Based on CDC guidelines and what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
People 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility

People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed clinical guidance for the care of adult patients with rheumatic diseases, including Behcet's Disease, during the COVID-19 pandemic. All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve. Given the low level of available evidence and the rapidly evolving literature, future updates will follow. Information directly from the ACR is available at COVID-19 Clinical Guidance for Adult Patients with Rheumatic Diseases.

ACR abstract and free access to recommendations for clinicians treating rheumatic patients with of COVID-19 can be accessed here. The CDC recommends patients continue medications and not change their treatment plan without consulting with their healthcare provider.

How It Spreads

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Preventative Measures

Vaccines

Learn more about COVID vaccine access, safety, and history at these links:

Get updates from the American College of Rheumatology on COVID-19 vaccine clinical guidance.
COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens
Emergency preparedness and response to COVID-19
National Institute of Health's COVID page
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) COVID page
National Health Council's COVID Awareness page
On 02/27/2021 FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization for third COVID-19 vaccine.
On 12/18/2020 the FDA takes additional action against COVID-19 by issuing emergency use authorization for a second COVID-19 vaccine.
On 12/11/2020 the FDA granted historic authorization to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Wash Hands and Avoid Touching Your Face

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily 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.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Practice Social Distancing and Air Ventilation

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Ventilate your home and workspace.

Wear a Face Covering

Wear a face cover that coves your mouth and nose when around others.
You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
Everyone should wear a face cover when they go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and Disinfect

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

If You Think You May Be Sick

Get Tested

If you test positive for COVID-19 by a viral test, know what protective steps to take if you are sick or caring for someone.
If you test negative for COVID-19 by a viral test, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing.

Treatment

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the drug baricitinib, in combination with remdesivir, for the treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and pediatric patients two years of age or older requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Additional clinical management includes infection prevention and control measures and supportive care, including supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support when indicated.

The National Institutes of Health have published interim guidelines for the medical management of COVID-19external icon prepared by the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel. People seeking information about registered clinical trials for COVID-19 in the United States can search for information at ClinicalTrials.gov.