The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that it is adopting updated guidance from the CDC that streamline and simplify recommendations for dealing with the range of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. The new guidance focuses on protecting those most at risk of serious illness. The new CDC guidance no longer requires that those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for a minimum of five days before returning to work or other activities and instead focuses on isolation until symptoms improve – which could be shorter or longer than five days. The key recommendation for those with any seasonal respiratory virus is to stay home and away from others until their symptoms improve. The guidance suggests people can return to normal activities when symptoms have been improving for 24 hours – and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. In addition, once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take precautions for the next five days to curb disease spread, including:

· Taking more steps for cleaner air

· Enhancing hygiene practices

· Wearing a well-fitting mask

· Keeping a distance from others and/or

· Getting tested to inform your actions to prevent spread to others.

For treatment of COVID-19, Illinoisans who experience symptoms can access no cost-share telehealth services through the SIU School of Medicine COVID Test to Treat services or call (217) 545-5100. An additional option is the NIH Test to Treat line or call 1-800-682-2829 to get access to no-cost care. The federal government has established a website that provides an all-purpose toolkit with information on how to obtain masks, treatment, vaccines and testing resources for all areas of the country at: https://www.covid.gov/.