Coachella, how to stay safe from COVID-19 during spring holidays

Increasing number of cases of coronavirus At a modest pace in Los Angeles County, health officials say it is still a good idea to take steps to prevent infection.

Doctors point out that infections can increase COVID, can cause symptoms of the disease for years, and increase the future risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Spring holidays, Easter holidays, Coachella Valley Music Arts Festival:

Get the latest information on vaccines and boosters

LA County is the target of the first booster shot, but there are still many people who haven’t been boosted.

Of the high-risk people, only 74% of the vaccinated older people aged 65 and over who are eligible for booster shots receive the first booster. The same applies only to 65% of vaccinated adults aged 50-64 years, according to data shared by LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation Everyone over the age of 12 will get at least one COVID-19 booster shot after completing the primary vaccination series.

People over the age of 50 are eligible for the second booster shot, as are people over the age of 12 with immunodeficiency.

Make sure the people you spend time with are vaccinated and boosted

Yes, it can be a hassle. However, it is especially important to ask people about the status of vaccinations and booster shots if people at high risk of COVID-19 complications are attending the event.

Golden voice Withdraw all COVID-19 safety protocols For the Coachella and Country-themed Stage Coach Festival in Indio later this month.

Do not travel or gather if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Some people may dismiss their symptoms as being related to allergies — but it could be COVID-19.

Take the test. Regardless of the test results, stay home in case of illness. If the body has too few viruses to be detected by the test, a rapid test may give a negative test result. If you wait a few more days, you may see a positive test result later.

“In the symptomatic case, if you have a positive test, you need to go back to using a virtual strategy for connectivity, which can spread some cheers, but not the virus.” Feller said. ..

If you are around a high-risk person, get a coronavirus test

When around others at high risk of serious illness, Feller said, “It is very important to be willing to take that COVID-19 test before meeting them.”

And if you think you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus after gathering, take a test after the event, Feller said.

“People I know had a quick COVID test before visiting people with immunodeficiency. They were asymptomatic except for” allergic symptoms. ” ” Tweet Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.

“This test was done only to protect people at risk. It was positive,” Faust wrote. “A quick test of asymptomatic people saves lives.”

Rapid coronavirus testing at home can be purchased at pharmacies and online retail stores.

The insured can also order home inspections eight times a month for everyone covered by health insurance and receive a refund from the health insurance company.The U.S. government has begun necessary The insurance company will refund these tests starting in mid-January.

In addition, all US households are eligible to mail two sets of four home exams free of charge.People can order those tests at covidtests.gov Or call (800) 232-0233. Many people ordered their first test set in January or February. The government allowed households to request a second free test in March.

Gather outside if possible, otherwise open the window

Placing the rally outdoors reduces the risk of infection, Feller said.

“If that’s not possible, it’s best to make the rally smaller. You can also improve the airflow in the room by opening windows and doors and using fans strategically,” Feller said. I am saying.

Wear a mask in an indoor public place

Although no longer necessary, Feller and state public health officials continue to strongly recommend wearing masks in indoor public places. Respiratory organs such as KF94, KN95, N95 masks provide better protection.

If the test is positive and the risk is high, look for an anti-COVID drug

Anti-COVID drugs are available to people with positive test results and high risk, but it is important to understand the status of the coronavirus test early in the infection and to find the drug quickly.

For those who test positive, state health officials say there is no shortage of anti-COVID drugs in most places.

“At this time, all mild to moderate COVID-19 outpatients at risk of disease progression should be treated if eligible,” said the California Public Health Service. Said soon. People can find a prescription by calling their health provider.

The US Government has launched the “Test to Treat” program. This allows staff to perform a coronavirus test or have an on-site healthcare provider who can evaluate the test results and patients at home.

A list of sites offering the “Test to Treat” service in LA County can be found at: ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines Alternatively, call the County Public Health Service (833) 540-0473 7 days a week from 8 am to 8:30 pm. They include specific CVS ​​and Walgreens locations, as well as hospitals, clinics, and local pharmacies. Residents of LA County who have tested positive can also mail their medicines for free by calling the same number.

If you’re a LA County resident, “If you have a test kit at home and you test yourself positive, call us. Your healthcare provider or clinician will discuss and evaluate you. If you qualify, the medicine will be sent overnight and you can take it the next day, “Feller said.

The “Test to Treat” site outside LA County can be found at: aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat..

The antiviral drugs offered in the program NirmatrelvilleMade by Pfizer, and Molnupiravir, Merck & Co. Made to treat mild to moderate COVID-19. The drug should be given within a certain number of days after the onset of symptoms, or from the day when the coronavirus test is positive, and it is most effective when given early.

According to federal guidelines, Paxlovid and molnupiravir Recommended It is intended for patients who are “high risk of developing severe COVID-19”, but can only be given to patients who are not ill enough to require hospitalization or oxygenation therapy.

Another drug that is not included in the “Test to Treat” program but is available as an anti-COVID drug is bebutellobimab, which is part of a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies.

Bebtelovam It is intended for use by people over the age of 12 who have a positive coronavirus test, are at high risk, and have no or inadequate other treatment options. You should also inject for at least 30 minutes.

Another anti-COVID drug, remdesivir, is given intravenously, which is part of a class of drugs known as antiviral drugs.

Remdesivir is slowly infused in the hospital over 30 minutes to 2 hours. For non-hospitalized patients, it is given once daily for 3 days and begins within 7 days of initial symptoms. For patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, it is usually given once daily for 5-10 days.

Unlike anti-COVID drugs available as tablets, remdesivir is the only antiviral drug that can be used to treat children Under 12 years oldAs long as it weighs at least 7.7 pounds.

The US Food and Drug Administration Recommended treatment First Paxlovid, then remdesivir. If neither is available or available, the FDA states that bebutellobimab and molnupiravir can be considered alternatives.