Did everyone have a safe and COVID-19 free Thanksgiving this year? Recent spikes of COVID-19 cases, hospitalization rates and deaths show otherwise. We are now paying the price with the huge spike in COVID numbers since Thanksgiving.

So does this mean no Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanza?  What about New Years? COVID-19 may have put a stop to our end of the year celebrations, but not to our holiday spirit. Some of us are still trying to keep our heads up and celebrate what’s left of 2020. And for that reason we still need to be safe and cautious when celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and New Years. Just like the other holidays, most of the COVID-19 guidelines still apply when it comes to health and safety.

If you’re still trying to keep the holiday spirit and go out with a bang in 2020, AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is here to help you prepare and plan for an end of the year celebration while staying COVID-19 free.

Decide how you’re celebrating the end of the year

Make a decision. Your decision is the first step on how to plan for your Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and New Years. Whether you are going to someone else’s house or having people over you need to consider your health and everyone else’s.

If you are going to host a gathering, you need to decide who and how many people you want to come to your gathering. And, just so you know the maximum number of guests is 10 per gathering, so plan accordingly. You may want to inform all your guests about getting COVID-19 tested, limiting indoor contact and bringing their own foods. Remember to social distance as much as possible and mask up.

Firepits are this years Chia Pet!

**As cases and hospitalizations have spiked over the past few weeks, we suggest just keeping it in the family and celebrating at home.

Traveling has gotten stricter this time of year

Everyone’s situation is different. Some families have relatives all throughout the U.S. Others have kids returning home from college. If you’re traveling, you should be aware of the red zone states and red zone communities in Connecticut that may sway your decision on how to celebrate this year. If you do travel, be prepared to quarantine for at least 10 days and to get a few COVID-19 tests to obtain results. In addition to this, you should be packing extra masks and sanitizers as you’re putting yourself at risk of contracting the virus.

If traveling isn’t an option for some, although not ideal,  you can still celebrate virtually. Hosting a virtual celebration can still be fun while connecting others from different parts of the world. You can easily do a virtual gift opening conference with family and friends.

COVID-19 testing and Flu shots are also a part of everyone’s holiday plans

You can expect COVID-19 tests and flu vaccines to be served with your Chanukah latkes or Christmas meal at the table this year.

Getting a flu shot is also important because the flu season has just begun and ruling out the flu will help when diagnosing COVID-19. Seniors, pregnant women and high risk individuals can benefit if you get a flu vaccine because they are immunocompromised.

That’s right! It’s not just about you!

Help them by getting a flu shot so they have one less thing to worry about this Christmas.

AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is ready for the end of the year celebration

AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is open 7 days a week and is located on 1030 Boulevard.

We are aware of the recent restrictions in CT and hope that you take this time to prepare for the upcoming winter holidays. AFC Urgent Care West Hartford offers both COVID-19 rapid testing with results in 30 minutes (by appointment only) Mondays through Saturdays, and regular standard COVID-19 testing with results available in 3-5 business days depending on lab capacity.

AFC urgent care in West Hartford also offers flu vaccines to help combat against the flu and keep others with weaker immune systems safe.