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.

Mask up.

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]." 

Additional Resources