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Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
Guidance for Our Community
Based on real-world evidence, we have learned and are now armed with clear, simple ways to stay safer and prevent COVID-19. Layering these strategies is the best way to get the most protection for yourself, your loved ones and your community.
Get vaccinated.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and vaccination is the best way to prevent COVID-19. Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
- There are many ways to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccines are widely available at many locations and times across the county. COVID-19 vaccines are free, and no insurance is required. No ID is necessary.
- Visit a JCPH COVID-19 vaccination clinic near you. Walk-ups are welcome. Find a location near you.
- Find more information about additional doses or boosters.
- Find more information about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months -17 years.
Mask up.
- It is important to wear a mask or respirator when you are sick or caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19. Wear a mask with the best fit, protection and comfort for you. Individuals aged two years and older can wear masks or respirators to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19, you should be isolated for five full days. After completing isolation, you should wear a mask around others in your home and in public for five more days after that.
- If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask around others for 10 full days after exposure. This includes when you are around people who live at home with you.
- Masks work to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. The CDC, along with JCPH, recommends masking in indoor public settings in areas where CDC COVID-19 Community Levels are Medium or High [external link].
- Find more general information about masks.
Get tested.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible, even if you are vaccinated. If you are exposed to a COVID-19 case, get tested 3-5 days after the exposure if you are unvaccinated, and 5-7 days after the exposure if you are vaccinated. Find a free COVID-19 testing site near you [external link].
- Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, and testing is the most accurate when symptoms are present. Symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Keep your distance.
- Maintain at least 6-ft. distancing from those not in your household, especially if you aren’t sure about their vaccination status or if you yourself are unvaccinated.
- Keeping your distance can help keep you — and others — safe.
Take everyday prevention steps.
- The things you do every day — like regular handwashing, keeping high-touch surfaces clean and disinfected, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when you’re sick — will help stop the spread of germs and keep you and your loved ones healthy.
Guidance for Businesses
Businesses can still require COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as continued mask wearing and social distancing, even if they are not required by the county or state. JCPH supports the rights of all businesses to determine how best to protect their customers and employees given their specific business environment and requests that residents respectfully comply when visiting any business. For more information, view "Best Practices for Preventing COVID-19 [PDF]."
Funding Opportunities
Jeffco Hope Fund - Community First Foundation: The Community First Foundation Jeffco Hope Fund [external link] was seeded by the Community First Foundation with one million dollars to strengthen and stabilize Jefferson County community organizations responding to and impacted by COVID-19. The Foundation hopes the fund can serve as a vehicle to inspire giving by neighbors, local businesses and other community organizations who are both willing and able to contribute.
Public Health Guidance
Places of Worship
Orgs/Employers
- NEW JCPH COVID-19 Business Guidance [PDF]
- CDPHE's Ongoing Mitigation Guidance [external link]
- CDPHE's Guidance for Businesses and Communities [external link]
- CDPHE's environmental cleaning guidance [external link]
- JCPH Three Simple Steps for Cleaning & Disinfecting [PDF]
Health Care Professionals
- CDPHE Crisis Standards of Care [external link]
- CDC Information for Healthcare Professionals [external link]
Long-term Care Facilities
Schools and Childcares
- NEW JCPH's Guidance for School & Child Care Settings [PDF]
- CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools [external link]
- CDPHE's Practical Guide for Operationalizing CDC’s School Guidance [external link]
- CDPHE's Return to Learn: Guidance Following a Positive COVID-19 Symptom Screen [external link]
- CDPHE's Guidance for Who Needs to Quarantine [external link]
- JCPH Respiratory Guidance English (PDF)
- JCPH Respiratory Guidance Spanish (PDF)
Retail Food Establishments
Emergency Medical Services
Law Enforcement
Get more guidance from CDC [external link] and CDPHE [external link].
Mental Health Resources for Employers
- Mental Health Resources for Those Who Work with the Public during COVID-19 [PDF]
- En Español: Recursos de salud mental para quienes trabajan con el público durante el COVID-19 [PDF]