HealthyPlusno2Aug30pages (1) - Flipbook - Page 23
“ We should not be paralyzed with fear and anxiety
regarding COVID-19. Yet we must not become
complacent and risk losing the gains we have made
over the past 18 months.”
– Dr. Trey Dobson, SVMC Medical Director
NUMBER OF NEW CASES
ENDEMIC: The number of cases worldwide is
stable and predictable
Change occurs in
disease transmission
PANDEMIC: The number of cases increases worldwide
and becomes less predictable
TIME
variants, waning protection, and the development
of medication resistance.”
Endemic COVID-19 is not risk free
One thing that has become clear over the past
few years is that the path from pandemic to
endemic—and something resembling normalcy in
the world—is found by simultaneously managing
prevention, investing in treatment, and adjusting
our behavior depending on the prevalence of the
virus at a given point in time.
Dobson notes, “Everyone needs to remain up to
date with vaccine. Those at risk of severe disease
need to be supported in their use of masks indoors.
Healthy individuals preparing for an important
recognition event or athletic competition should
consider the use of masks and avoiding
gatherings 10 days prior.”
He adds, “An endemic situation may occur in
the foreseeable future. For now, we should focus
on coexisting with COVID by limiting disease
through reasonable means while accepting a level
of risk in activities that bring joy into our lives and
relationships.” +
You’ve been
exposed. Now what?
If you are exposed to someone with
COVID-19, you should avoid close contact with
those at risk of severe disease, consider wearing a
mask in crowed indoor venues, and consider taking
a COVID-19 test five days after exposure or sooner
if you develop symptoms. Day zero is the day of
exposure and the next day is considered day one.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, wear a mask,
avoid close contact with others, and take a PCR
test or take two antigen tests separated by at least
24 hours.
SVHEALTHCARE .ORG | HEALTHY+ | 21