COVID-19 Education (2026)

COVID‑19 is Still a Relevant Public Health Risk

• COVID‑19 continues to circulate globally and still causes illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, especially in high‑risk groups.
• Most infections are now milder for many people due to immunity from vaccination or prior infection, but risk is not eliminated.

References

World Health Organization. (2025). Coronavirus disease (COVID 19). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29

Vaccination: Shift to Risk‑Based, Seasonal Model

• Updated COVID‑19 vaccines (2025–2026) are recommended for individuals over 6 months of age, using individual/shared decision‑making with your provider.
• Vaccination remains important because it:
• Reduces severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
• Needs periodic (maybe annual) updating due to waning immunity and new variants.
• Highest priority groups:
• Adults ≥65
• Immunocompromised individuals
• People with multiple or chronic conditions or high-risk exposure

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/vaccine-considerations/routine-guidance.html

Variants and Evolution

• SARS‑CoV‑2 continues to evolve; new variants are expected and monitored continuously
• Vaccines are updated annually to match circulating strains (e.g., XFG lineage for 2026–2027) to prevent against severe outcomes.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Variants and Genomic Surveillance. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/php/variants/variants-and-genomic-surveillance.html

Food and Drug Administration. (2026). COVID-19 Vaccines (2026-27 Formula) for use in the United States beginning in Fall 2026. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/industry-biologics/covid-19-vaccines-2026-2027-formula-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2026

Symptoms and Clinical Presentation

Common symptoms remain consistent:

• Fever/chills
• Cough, sore throat, congestion
• Fatigue, muscle aches, headache
• Shortness of breath
• GI symptoms (nausea/diarrhea)
• Loss of taste/smell still occurs but is less common in newer variants
• Symptoms may be similar to the flu or a common cold. Severity will vary in regions.
• Test for COVID and use oral antivirals as prescribed by a provider.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Symptoms of COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms/index.html

Transmission

• Spread occurs primarily through respiratory particles (airborne transmission).
• Higher risk occurs in:
• Close contact situations
• Poorly ventilated indoor spaces

References

Public Health Communications Collaborative. (2025). COVID-19. https://publichealthcollaborative.org/topics/covid-19/

World Health Organization. (2025). Coronavirus disease (COVID 19). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29

Prevention: Layered, Flexible Approach

CDC now emphasizes core prevention strategies rather than rigid mandates:

Core strategies:

• Stay up to date with vaccines
• Stay home and away from others when sick
• Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette – wash hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer
• Improve ventilation/air quality
• Get health care when sick

Optional/additional strategies:

• Masking
• Social distancing
• Testing when symptomatic or exposed

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). About handwashing. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). How to protect yourself and others. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html

Updated Isolation/Return-to-Activity Guidance

• There is now a shift to a symptom‑based approach rather than fixed isolation days:
• Stay home while sick
• Realize that others may still be contagious after returning to work. The risk is reduced but not at zero. Take the necessary precautions
• Return when:
• Symptoms are improving AND
• Fever-free for ≥24 hours without medication
• Following a return to normal activities, take precautions when around others, especially those that are more vulnerable, for 5 days, such as:
• Practicing good hygiene
• Wearing a mask
• Social distancing
• Testing
• Improving air quality

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). How to protect yourself and others. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (20250. Preving spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html

Risk Stratification & Equity Considerations

High‑risk groups remain a priority:

• Older adults
• Immunocompromised individuals
• People with chronic conditions
• Health care workers

Stay informed, seek treatment, and vaccinate to prevent disease.

References

World Health Organization. (2025). Coronavirus disease (COVID 19). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29

Long COVID (Post‑COVID Condition)

• ~6% of COVID cases may develop long COVID
• Long COVID is defined as COVID symptoms lasting at least 3 months
• Symptoms may include fatigue, difficulty breathing, joint pain, dizziness, depression, cognitive issues, and respiratory problems
• Clinical trials for Long COVID are continually evolving with extensive research testing therapies for fatigue, cognitive issues and immune system recovery. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) created the RECOVER Initiative to understand, prevent, and treat long-term health effects related to COVID.

References

National Institutes of Health. (2025). The RECOVER Initiative. https://recovercovid.org/

World Health Organization. (2025). Coronavirus disease (COVID 19). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29

World Health Organization. (2026). Myth-busters: debunking long covid myths and mysconceptions https://www.who.int/europe/event/myth-busters--debunking-long-covid-myths-and-misconceptions

Treatment Awareness

• Early treatment (e.g., antivirals) can reduce severe disease
• Must be started within a few days of symptom onset

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). How to protect yourself and others.  https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html