From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, CentraState has delivered pioneering treatments and safeguarded people throughout the region. Now, we’re helping people incorporate COVID-19 prevention efforts into their daily lives – just as you would to avoid any other contagious illness.
Protect Yourself from COVID-19
COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, even from people who may not have symptoms. Here are the best ways to protect yourself:
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get the latest on the vaccine and find a location to get vaccinated here.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick or may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Wear a mask when COVID-19 levels in your community are high, or when levels are medium if you’re at high risk for severe symptoms with COVID-19. Find out your community levels here.
- Be alert for COVID-19 symptoms. Watch for fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested for COVID-19. Have a supply of COVID-19 tests at home and know how to use them. You can also check testing availability at one of our Immediate Care locations or find a testing location here.
- If you’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you don’t have symptoms, test five days after the exposure. Follow CDC recommendations on what to do if you’re exposed.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, talk to your physician about whether you need treatment.
- Know when to seek emergency care for COVID-19. For more details, visit the CDC website or the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Information Hub.
For more details, visit the CDC website or the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Information Hub.
VACCINATIONS AT CENTRASTATE
Last updated: April 28, 2023
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COVID-19 Treatment
If you test positive for COVID-19, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need treatment. Many people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and can recover at home. Your provider can recommend over-the-counter or prescription medicines that can help ease symptoms.
Some groups of people are at increased risk for getting very sick with COVID-19, including older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and those with certain medical conditions. If you’re in a higher-risk category, getting treatment can reduce your risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and even death.
What Treatments are Available?
Medications. The FDA has authorized or approved antiviral prescription medications to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick. These medications can help reduce symptoms and manage your illness. Medications may be taken orally at home or provided intravenously at a healthcare facility if your condition requires admission and monitoring. Your healthcare provider can help determine which treatment, if any, is right for you.
To be effective, treatment must be started within days after you first develop symptoms.
Emergency or inpatient treatment. In some cases, COVID-19 requires emergency treatment or hospitalization. In these situations, you may receive other treatments that target the virus, boost your immune system, and address any complications you may have from COVID-19. CentraState provides the latest treatments from an interdisciplinary team skilled in caring for patients with COVID-19.
Remember that staying up to date on vaccines reduces your risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19, especially when you get the bivalent vaccine. According to CDC research published in March 2023, people who received the bivalent vaccine had 42% to 48% less risk of hospitalization than those who received two to four doses of the original vaccine. Most people hospitalized with COVID-19 at CentraState are those who have not received a bivalent vaccine.