COVID-19 Updates: Get the latest information from our experts: Vaccines Testing Visitor Guidelines Closings

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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Stay up-to-date on the spread of COVID-19 with information on symptoms, prevention, vaccine updates, and how you can help slow the spread.

  • Vaccine
  • Common Questions
  • Symptoms
  • Related Articles
  • How to Help
  • COVID-19 Testing

Visitor Restrictions: All Rochester Regional Health facilities have implemented enhanced visitor restrictions and screenings. Read More

Common Questions About COVID-19

  • Get the latest information on the vaccines available for COVID-19, including how the vaccines were created, who should get them, safety and side effects on our COVID-19 vaccine information hub. 
  • You can get evaluated for a test at select Rochester Regional Health Immediate Care locations. Our Immediate Care locations accept walk-in evaluations and will test if deemed necessary by an on-site healthcare provider based on the testing criteria.

    View A List of COVID-19 Testing Locations and FAQs

  • COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. The virus may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, high fever, breathing problems, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, & extreme exhaustion. There are other symptoms less commonly associated with COVID-19, such as headache, loss of taste and smell, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Stay protected against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated as soon as it is available to you. If you are not yet vaccinated, continue to:

    • washing your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 20 seconds
    • maintain physical distancing of six feet between other people and avoid crowds
    • wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose whenever in public, especially when unable to maintain six feet physical distance from others
  • The virus spreads from person to person by droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or be inhaled into the lungs. The virus more likely spreads when people are within about 6 feet of each other.  

    Learn More About COVID-19 Transmission

  • Vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in most public settings. All individuals will be asked to continue to wear masks in New York State at large-scale event venues, pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and healthcare settings 

    When to wear a mask

  • The new coronavirus and influenza (flu) are both contagious viruses that cause respiratory illnesses, and both diseases are spread worldwide. Both can cause a fever, cough, body aches, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, and both can result in pneumonia. But there are many differences, like transmission, medication, and treatment options.

    Learn the differences between COVID-19 and the flu

  • Rochester Regional Health is providing the same safe, high-quality care at all hospitals and healthcare locations.

    Learn more about how we’re delivering safe care now
  • According to the CDC, a new study suggests that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized and are at increased risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and receipt of mechanical ventilation than nonpregnant women. Risk of death is similar for both groups.

    Learn more in our Q&A with Dr. Daniel Grace

  • The CDC currently recommends waiting to travel until you are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after your final dose). For those who are not yet fully vaccinated or children under the age of 12, the CDC recommends delaying travel to reduce the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19. 

    If you plan to travel, and are not fully vaccinated, make sure to: 

    • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
    • Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid crowds
    • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer

    View the CDC Travel Guidelines

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. The virus may cause respiratory symptoms such as:
person coughing cartoon
Coughing
person with fever cartoon
High Fever
person with breathing problems cartoon
Breathing problems
person with shortness of breath cartoon
Shortness of breath
person with chills graphic
Chills
muscle pain symptom graphic
Muscle Pain
sore throat symptom graphic
Sore Throat
loss of taste and smell symptom graphic
New loss of taste or smell

Flu, Cold & COVID-19: What’s The Difference?

All three of these illnesses caused by respiratory viruses share similar symptoms such as stuffy nose, sore throat, and fatigue. It’s not uncommon to mistake one for the others. But getting a COVID-19 test as a precaution is always a safe first step to take.
Symptoms
Fever
Headache
General Aches and Pains
Fatique, Weakness
Extreme Exhaustion
vomiting or diarrhea
Sneezing or Runny Nose
Sore Throat
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Cold
Rare
Rare
Slight
Mild
Never
Common
Usual
Common
Mild to moderate
Rare
Flu
High
(100-102 F)can last 3-4 days
Intense
Usual(often severe)
IntenseCan last up to 2-3 weeks
Usual(starts early)
Sometimes
Sometimes
Common
Commoncan become severe
Rare
COVID-19
Common
Sometimes
Common
Common
Sometimes
Sometimes
Common
Common
Common
In more serious infections

COVID-19 Related Articles

Recent News

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under 5: What to Know

COVID vaccines for children under 5 now has emergency use authorization from the FDA and CDC. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for young children. Our pediatricians share what parents might want to know.

COVID-19 in the Rochester Region

Daily updates on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and vaccination rates in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions, and New York State.

Flu Season 2021-2022

This page reflects the most up-to-date data about the 2021-2022 flu season. Previous flu season data is also available for comparison.

The Need for COVID-19 Booster Shots

Any individual age 5 or older is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot five months after they were fully vaccinated. There are several reasons to get the booster.

COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11 year olds: Parent FAQs

The CDC approved COVID-19 booster doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. Our experts answer questions.

Challenges of Testing for a New Virus

When a new virus suddenly appears and spurs a global pandemic, how do you test for it? Lab professionals with Rochester Regional Health share the challenges of microbiology innovation.

A Second COVID-19 Booster Shot: The Latest

A second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA as needed for certain populations.

Tracking the BA.2 COVID-19 Variant

The BA.2 variant is now the dominant COVID-19 variant in the U.S. Emil Lesho, DO, outlines the details of this latest variant of the pandemic.

How COVID-19 Can Affect Heart Health

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors and researchers can point to several ways in which cardiac health and the coronavirus are connected.

Which Type of Mask Should I Wear?

There are several varieties of masks that can be worn as a face covering. Our experts analyze which ones protect your health the best.

Why Some of Us Are Getting Sicker This Winter – And What to Do

Doctors are seeing more cases of flu, COVID-19, and other viral illnesses this winter. So what does this mean about our immune systems?

COVID-19 Home Testing and Next Steps

Taking an at-home COVID-19 test can lead to several different choices, depending on whether you have symptoms. We answer your questions and give the latest guidance.

View All Recent News Articles

Additional Resources

  • How to Help

    Thousands of people are asking how they can help in this time of crisis, so we have provided a list of ways you can support our frontline medical teams and patients at our hospitals and programs.

    View Ways You Can Help
  • COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know

    Get the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines, including how they created, who should get them, safety, side effects, distribution updates and more.

    View Additional Information
  • Visitor & Masking Guidelines

    Rochester Regional Health has implemented new visitor guidelines and masking requirements, following state and local Department of Health recommendations.

    View Guidelines and Restrictions
  • Transforming Care to Keep you Healthy and Safe

    While things may look a bit different when you see one of our health professionals, you can rest assured that we’re providing the same high-quality care that we always have.

    Read More

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