COVID Prevention

There are many ways your actions can help protect you, your household, and your community from severe illness from COVID-19. These tips from the CDC will help keep you and your family healthy.

Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines


COVID-19 vaccines help your body develop protection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19. CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible get a booster and stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, especially people with weakened immune systems. More info about the Covid vaccine...

Improving Ventilation and Spending Time Outdoors


Improving ventilation (moving air into, out of, or within a room) and filtration (trapping particles on a filter to remove them from the air) can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in indoor air. Improving ventilation and filtration can help protect you from getting infected with and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Spending time outside when possible instead of inside can also help: Viral particles spread between people more readily indoors than outdoors.

Actions that can improve ventilation and filtration include:

  • Bringing in as much outdoor air as possible—for example, opening windows.
  • Increasing air filtration in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, such as by changing filters frequently and using filters that are properly fitted and provide higher filtration.
  • Using portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners.
  • Turning on exhaust fans and using other fans to improve air flow.
  • Turning your thermostat to the “ON” position instead of “AUTO” to ensure your HVAC system provides continuous airflow and filtration.

Getting Tested for COVID-19 If Needed


Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms. A viral test tells you if you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. There are two types of viral tests: rapid tests and laboratory tests. These tests might use samples from your nose or throat, or saliva. Knowing if you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 allows you to take care of yourself and take actions to reduce the chance that you will infect others.

You can access tests the following ways:

  • The Health Department has a limited supply of free tests. Address: 90 Main St, Wellesley, 2nd floor.  
  • The Federal Government has free tests available.
  • If you have Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare will cover up to 8 free self-tests each calendar month from participating pharmacies and providers. Private health insurance may also reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests. Visit FDA’s website for a list of authorized tests.
  • Local pharmacies sell tests.
  • Call your healthcare provider for more options.

Staying Home When You Have Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19


The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has updated its guidance in keeping with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for respiratory viruses. COVID-19 guidance is now incorporated within the general guidance for common respiratory illnesses. 

The Wellesley Board of Health supports these new guidelines, recognizing that all respiratory viruses pose a danger to medically vulnerable people, and that common sense precautions can be protective. With widespread immunity and lower rates of hospitalization and death, there is no longer a need to isolate for 5 days after a positive test for COVID-19. However, if you have risk factors for severe COVID-19 and would benefit from treatment (such as Paxlovid), you should test for COVID-19 (using a home test or lab-based test). Home tests can take several days to become positive after symptom onset. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has comprehensive webpages about COVID-19 with information, guidance, and an interactive dashboard with data from the Commonwealth.

Avoiding Contact with People Who Have Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19


Putting physical distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus. There is no single number that defines a “safe” distance, since spread of viruses can depend on many factors. Visit the CDC website for new recommendations on distancing and respiratory viruses.