GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas ? Galveston County Health District (GCHD) no longer recommends a 5-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19. The recommendation comes following the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines issued March 1, 2024. Effective immediately, COVID-19 will be treated as a respiratory virus like flu.

On March 11, 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) updated its notifiable disease list, officially removing COVID-19 from mandatory reporting requirements.

While still posing a significant health threat to those at higher risk, COVID-19 health impacts are now increasingly similar to other respiratory viruses, like flu, which are also important causes of illness and death, especially for people at higher risk. It is important to note that COVID-19 guidelines may vary depending on settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.

The CDC recommends that individuals implement core prevention strategies to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses. These strategies include staying current with your COVID-19 vaccines, practicing good hygiene and proper handwashing, taking steps for cleaner air by opening windows, and staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms better explained by another cause.

The CDC also recommends that wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others. Putting physical distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk of COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 can help you decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and lowering your chances of spreading the virus to others.

Dr. Keiser, GCHD CEO, and Galveston County Local Health Authority, said, ?Regardless of which respiratory virus you have, you should stay home if you are sick. And for people at risk, it?s most important to keep up to date with your vaccines.? Vaccines remain important for the prevention of severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Vaccines are available at the Galveston County Health District Immunizations Clinic, 9850-B Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite B-104, in Texas City from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Walk-ins are welcome and insurance is not required. Our Immunization Services division protects the health and well-being of our community by providing children and adults with protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.?