Caring for Yourself or People with COVID

If you, or someone in your care, has COVID-19, it's important to know how to care of yourself and others while at home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Follow the steps below if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19.

Stay home

If infected with COVID-19, stay home until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms are improving. Avoid contact with individuals at increased risk for severe disease, including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. Consider masking for 10 days.

Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.

Take care of yourself

Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.

Connect with your healthcare provider if needed

This is especially important if the sick person is at high risk for severe illness due to older age or underlying medical conditions. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs.

If you test positive

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) no longer requires reporting of positive COVID-19 test results to local public health authorities.

COVID-19 Vaccines are Safe and Effective

Getting vaccinated gives most people a high level of protection against COVID-19 and can provide added protection for people who already had it. Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the CDC website for more information on the vaccines.

To locate a vaccine provider, contact:

  • Your healthcare provider
  • Your insurance provider/health plan 
  • Vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)
  • 211.org or call/text 211

Local Vaccine Resources

Federal Public Health Emergency

With the end of the Public Health Emergency (May 11, 2023), vaccines may no longer be free of charge. Check with your health plan or the vaccine provider for more information. Vaccines will continue to be free of cost for Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program participants.

Mask Guidance

Clackamas County Public Health recommends considering masking guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Everyone should feel welcome to continue to wear a mask based on their personal choice and need even if it’s not required. Those who are at high risk of severe disease and hospitalization from COVID-19 are recommended to continue wearing masks in indoor public settings.

COVID-19 Resources

County officials stress that accurate information — about the state of the coronavirus, guidance for what to do if you feel you may be infected, and best practices for staying healthy — should only be taken from credible health sources.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

125871
125871
  • An option is to treat the symptoms with over the counter medications. 
  • There are also antivirals.
125871
  • The reporting requirements will remain in effect until it is repealed through the permanent rulemaking process (expected to be completed by June 30, 2023).
  • Schools, Congregate Care settings, and health care facilities are still required to report according to the most recent COVID IGs.
125871
  • Those who test positive for COVID 19 are no longer required to isolate for 5 days; however they should be aware of their potential to infect others.
  • To reduce the spread of COVID, all cases, regardless of vaccination status are recommended to:
    • Stay home until 24 hours after fever is gone without use of antipyretics and other COVID-19 symptoms are improving
    • Avoid contact with high-risk individuals (e.g., residents of congregate care facilities, persons with immunocompromising conditions, etc.) for 10 days
    • Mask when they are around other people in the 10 days after they become sick or test positive
125871
  • Health care workers: No longer enforcing COVID Vaccination status. (May 11, 2023)
  • K-12 workers and volunteers: No longer enforcing COVID Vaccination status. (Jun 17, 2023)
  • Commercial Insurers and OHP are still required to cover COVID-19 vaccination without any cost to the individual. Contact your insurance provider for vaccination sites
125871