COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be very contagious and can spread quickly. To learn more about COVID-19 and how it spreads visit About COVID-19.
On June 27, 2024, the CDC Director adopted the ACIP’s recommendations for use of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines in people ages 6 months and older as approved or authorized by FDA. The 2024–2025 vaccines are expected to be available in fall 2024. Learn more: CDC Media Release Vaccine Recommendations.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines are used to protect us from diseases and infections that make us sick. This is an important tool to protect your health and the public’s health. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and provide the best tool to prevent severe outcomes like severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The vaccine is available to everyone 6 months and older. Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. To schedule an appointment for a vaccine, call us at (828) 795-1970. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit COVID-19 Vaccines.
To learn about people with certain medical conditions and COVID-19 risk factors, visit People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors.
COVID-19 Testing
If you are sick with symptoms of COVID-19 and need a COVID-19 test, call us at (828) 795-1970 to schedule a sick visit. We have at-home test kits available and free of charge for anyone who wants one (available while supplies last). For additional testing options, visit the NC DHHS Find COVID-19 Tests website. To learn more about COVID-19 testing, visit the CDC’s website.
Don’t throw away your expired COVID-19 tests yet! The expiration date on many COVID-19 at-home tests have been extended by the FDA. Visit MySpot.nc.gov/NewDate to see if your COVID-19 test expiration was extended.
COVID-19 Treatment
If you have COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. If you would like to make an appointment with a provider, call us at (828) 795-1970. To learn more about COVID-19 treatment, visit CDC’s website to learn about the types of COVID-19 treatment.
Communicable Disease and COVID-19 Data
Local and state COVID-19 data and trends can be found on the North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard and national COVID-19 data and trends can be found on the CDC Data Tracker.
For communicable disease information and data, view the Communicable Disease Situation Updates for Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga Counties.
Respiratory Virus Guidance
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, follow the guidance for respiratory viruses, which includes COVID-19. There are actions you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.
Do you have COVID-19 Questions?
If you have questions about COVID-19, call the AppHealthCare Call Center at (828) 795-1970. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00-5:00pm. To reach us after-hours for a public health emergency or urgent matter, please call us at Alleghany (336) 372-5641, Ashe (336) 246-9449, Watauga (828) 264-4995 to be connected to an on-call public health nurse.
