New COVID vaccine for 2024, isolation guidelines, free tests and other questions answered

If you think COVID is a thing of the past, you're wrong.

After a summer boost of the virus and with the approaching cold season, attention is once again turning to the disease and raising questions about what to do if a test is positive and how to protect oneself.

What you should know for fall 2024:

New COVID vaccine

Last month, Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated COVID-19 Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for the fall 2024 season.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were revised this year to KP.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as part of a now annual process conducted by the FDA and health authorities around the world to update vaccines to protect against newer strains of the virus.

Both Moderna and Pfizer expect the first doses of their vaccines to be available across the country in the next few days. Another updated vaccine from Novavax is also expected to receive FDA approval this year.

Who should receive the updated COVID vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all Americans ages 6 months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against another expected wave of the virus in the fall and winter.

For most people, the CDC recommends a flu shot in September or October each year. This can be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID Guidelines 2024

In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it would no longer ask Americans to stay home for five days after a positive test. However, the agency said updated recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID and other respiratory viruses.

For those who are ill, the CDC now recommends:

• Stay home until the fever has subsided for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and symptoms improve
• Masks compulsory for five days after children no longer stay at home
• Distance to others
• Improve ventilation around others

“Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk of severe illness, including people over 65 and people with weakened immune systems,” the CDC says.

How long will I be contagious with COVID in 2024?

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 can be contagious one to two days before and up to eight to ten days after symptoms begin.

Medical studies have shown that even people who are asymptomatic or have no symptoms at all can transmit the virus.

Free COVID tests

From the end of September, Americans free COVID test kits sent home by post.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the agency overseeing the process, has not yet announced an exact date for the orders to begin. But according to COVIDtests.gov, U.S. households can Order up to four free COVID-19 nasal swab tests when the federal program is reopened.

The tests will detect current strains of the virus and can be ordered before the holiday season when family and friends gather for celebrations, an HHS spokesperson said previously.

What medications should you take for COVID?

According to the CDC, most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home.

You can treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

For those who are more likely to become seriously ill, the FDA has approved or approved several antiviral medications, including:

• Nirmatrelvir with ritonavir, also known as Paxlovidan oral medication for adults and children aged 12 years and over
• Remdesivir, known as Veklury, an intravenous infusion given in a healthcare facility for adults and children
• Molnupiravir or Lagevrio, an oral medication for adults only

Patients should work with their doctor to determine the best treatment option for them.