Visitor Restrictions & Masking Updates: Changes to visitor restrictions, screenings, and masking. Read More

coronavirus background image

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.

Common Questions About COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccines

Today, most Americans ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who are pregnant, have allergies, or are immunocompromised.
Learn More

COVID-19 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

What Do I Do With an Expired COVID-19 Test?

At-home COVID-19 test kits are used daily by thousands of people. So how can a person tell when their kit expires – and what to do with it if it is expired?

COVID-19 in the Rochester Region

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

What Herd Immunity for COVID-19 Means In 2023

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, international health leaders were focused on achieving ‘herd immunity’ to the virus. Emil Lesho, DO, explains how our understanding of that term has shifted over the last three years.

Review Finds Pregnant Women With COVID-19 Face Health Risks

A meta-analysis of 12 studies around the world found pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are significantly more likely to have poor health outcomes – including a higher risk of death.

Why Are Kids Getting So Sick This Season?

A number of illnesses appear to be spreading in pediatric patients. Our experts share what they know about diagnosing and treating them.

COVID-19 Booster Shots This Fall: What to Know

Updated COVID-19 booster doses will be widely available to the public following CDC approval.

A New COVID-19 Vaccine: How Novavax Works

There are now four COVID-19 vaccines available for the public to choose from. The CDC recently approved Novavax as an option for adults in the U.S.

COVID-19 Rebound Cases: What to Know

There are indications that some individuals who are infected with COVID-19 and take a specific antiviral drug may begin testing positive again after initially recovering. Our experts explain what happens.

What We Know about the BA.5 Omicron Variant

BA.5 is a new subvariant of COVID-19 that is spreading quickly around the United States. Emil Lesho, DO, explains what it is, how it is different from previous variants, and how to stay healthy.

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.

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 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.

View All Recent News Articles

Additional Resources

  • 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