Resources
| Recommended public health strategy | Person- and household-level prevention behaviors | Community-level prevention strategies* | Links to guidance and scientific evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 vaccination | Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination | Distribute and administer vaccines to achieve high community vaccination coverage and ensure health equity Support community partnerships and leverage trusted sources of information to expand booster coverage |
Vaccines for COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html Science brief: COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/fully-vaccinated-people.html |
| Preexposure prophylaxis | Persons who are moderately or severely immunocompromised might benefit from COVID-19 preexposure prophylactic treatment (Evusheld) to prevent severe COVID-19 illness | Provide education and communication outreach to patients and clinical care organizations that serve patients with immunocompromising conditions to support equitable access to preexposure prophylaxis | COVID-19 preventive medication: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html#preventive Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection: https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/overview/prevention-of-sars-cov-2/ |
| Medications for treatment of COVID-19 | Persons at increased risk for severe illness should have a plan for rapid access to tests and treatment if they become infected | Enable rapid access to oral COVID-19 treatment within ≤5 days of diagnosis Support clinical-community linkages to ensure access to antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatment and reduce health disparities |
COVID-19 treatments and medication: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html Clinical management of COVID-19: https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/management/clinical-management/ |
| Improved ventilation | Increase ventilation and filtration | Take steps to increase ventilation and filtration in public places | Improving ventilation in your home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/Improving-Ventilation-Home.html Ventilation in buildings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ventilation.html Ventilation in schools and childcare programs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/ventilation.html Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 transmission: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html |
| Masks and respirators | Persons at high risk for severe illness should wear a mask or respirator (N95/KN95) that provides more protection indoors in public at medium and high COVID-19 community levels All persons should wear well-fitting masks or respirators indoors in public at high COVID-19 Community Levels† |
Recommend all persons wear well-fitting masks or respirators at high COVID-19 Community Levels and support use of masks through messaging and resources | Masks and respirators: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html Science brief: community use of masks to control and spread of SARS-CoV-2: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html |
| Testing | Persons with a known or suspected exposure to someone with COVID-19 and those who experience symptoms should promptly seek testing through point-of-care and at-home tests | Increase equitable access to testing, including through point-of-care and at-home tests for all persons Recommend use of screening testing in certain high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facilities or correctional facilities) to reduce risks of outbreaks Support Test to Treat and other initiatives to support rapid access to treatment among persons at high risk for severe illness |
Overview of testing for SARS-CoV-2: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html Technical page: guidance for healthcare workers about COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) testing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing.html |
| Isolation | Symptomatic persons should isolate promptly and seek testing Infected persons should stay home for ≥5 days; for 10 days, infected persons should wear a mask around others at home and in public and avoid contact with persons at high risk for severe illness¶ |
Increase equitable access to testing, including through point-of-care and at-home tests for all persons Support case investigation and contact tracing in high-risk settings where recommended |
Isolation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 transmission: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html |
| Managing exposures to SARS-CoV-2 | Persons with recent exposure should wear a mask indoors in public for 10 days and test ≥5 days after last exposure | Increase equitable access to testing, including through point-of-care and at-home tests for all persons Support case investigation and contact tracing in high-risk settings where recommended§ |
What to do if you are exposed: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html Definition of close contacts: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 transmission: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html |
| Hand hygiene | Wash hands frequently | Ensure provision of adequate hand sanitation supplies | How to protect yourself and others: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 transmission: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html |
| Increasing space and distance | Persons at high risk for severe illness can consider avoiding crowded areas and minimizing direct physical contact, especially in settings where there is high risk for exposure | Provide education to populations at high risk for severe illness to advise them to consider taking steps to protect themselves in settings where there is high risk for exposure | How to protect yourself and others: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 transmission: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html |
