COVID-19 remains in the spotlight, with the COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and health and safety guidelines right before Christmas. When will it end?! By next year we’re hoping it’s’ hold on us will weaken, but coronavirus is not going away and maybe with us to stay. 

As we now have COVID-19 vaccines and more options to test for COVID, it has made it easier to spend time with loved ones for the holidays. The drawback is that there are still people who are unvaccinated and the Delta variant circulating around Connecticut making it difficult for everyone to be together this season without letting our guard down. 

AFC Urgent Care Danbury is here to inform and guide everyone with a health and safety checklist for a COVID-19 FREE Christmas.

Health And Safety Travel Checklist For Christmas

If you choose to travel, we suggest bringing extra masks and hand sanitizer with you. Airports are requiring everyone to wear masks in order to fly. You should avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth and make sure that you are washing your hands frequently. 

We also advise that you check your destination for any COVID-19 rules and restrictions. At this time, domestic travel doesn’t require you to get COVID-19 vaccinated, but you still need to get tested 1-3 days before you go if you’re not fully vaccinated. The CDC also recommends that you get tested when you return to avoid spreading to other unvaccinated people. 

If you’re flying internationally, there are a lot of restrictions as opposed to flying locally in the U.S. Traveling is still restricted in many places around the world, and getting more restrictive, now with the newest omicron COVID-19 variant beginning to emerge. The CDC recommends you get vaccinated to avoid any delays in travel and to check your destination for any additional requirements like testing before you go. If you’re unvaccinated for COVID-19, check your destination before you go. Most countries are still red zoned for having high cases of COVID-19. The U.S requires proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test before returning and most countries require a test to get into their country too. 

At the end of the day, getting COVID-19 vaccinated will be your best bet to keep you safe and travel easier, if that’s your plan this Christmas.

What about Flu, Colds, And Other Illnesses This Christmas?

At this time, we are currently seeing patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease, as well as flu. People are confusing the symptoms and thinking it’s COVID-19 when it’s not. It’s important to understand the differences between symptoms of colds, flu, or any other illness to avoid confusion or panic.

The symptoms for hand, foot, and mouth disease are:

• Mouth sores

• Fever

• Rash on hands and feet

Colds, flu, and COVID-19 have a few symptoms that are similar, but have their main differences as shown in the chart below:

Getting COVID-19 tested and Flu Vaccinated before Christmas and New Years

This brings us to our next point. Please get tested before your celebrations! This way, you are not bringing the virus with you if you do plan on traveling. Getting tested is one of the most important tasks you should include in your COVID-19 health and safety checklist. In addition to this, you should also get vaccinated for the flu. Flu season has just started and you don’t want to confuse it with COVID-19. A flu shot will help provide immunity and keep your loved ones safe from getting the flu.

AFC Urgent Care Danbury wishes you a COVID-19 free Christmas

AFC Urgent Care Danbury hopes that everyone prepares in advance and sets the rules when hosting a gathering, visiting family or going out for Christmas. And, if you need us, we have 3 locations that serve the greater Danbury area.

• 2 Main Street (corner of South St, next to Dunkin Donuts)

• 76c Newtown Rd. (Next to Texas Roadhouse)

• 100 Mill Plain Rd. (Right next to Duchess)

You can visit us for minor cuts, sprains, X-rays, COVID-19 testing, flu vaccines, and your other urgent care needs 7 days a week. With extended hours from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday and weekend hours from 8 am to 8 pm, we make it convenient for all of our friends and families in the Danbury communities. If you need rapid testing for COVID-19, walk-in any day of the week. There is no appointment needed. We also offer standard COVID-19 testing that is performed 7 days a week with no appointment needed.

**Due to the holiday traffic and high demands, wait times for testing may take longer. Plan ahead!

If you need a flu shot, there is no appointment necessary and we can administer one on a walk-in basis. Always here for you.