Suffolk Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Covid Data Tracker Weekly Review

CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk

Summary of recent changes (last updated August 17, 2022):

The CDC is streamlining its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic.

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” said Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH, MMWR author. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation.  This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”

In support of this update CDC is:

  • Continuing to promote the importance of being up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Protection provided by the current vaccine against symptomatic infection and transmission is less than that against severe disease and diminishes over time, especially against the currently circulating variants. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available.
  • Updating its guidance for people who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines on what to do if exposed to someone with COVID-19.  This is consistent with the existing guidance for people who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
  • Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
    • You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
      • If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations.
      • If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
  • Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.  You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
    • If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
    • Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
    • You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
  • Recommending that if you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19 or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
  • Recommending that if you had  severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
  • Clarifying that after you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
  • Recommending screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures will no longer be recommended in most community settings.
  • Emphasizing that physical distance is just one component of how to protect yourself and others.  It is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance.

Actions to take will continue to be informed by the COVID-19 Community Levels, launched in February. CDC will continue to focus efforts on preventing severe illness and post-COVID conditions, while ensuring everyone have the information and tools, they need to lower their risk.

This updated guidance is intended to apply to community settings. In the coming weeks CDC will work to align stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings, congregate settings at higher risk of transmission, and travel, with today’s update.

Every household in the U.S. will be able to order up to 4, FREE individual rapid antigen Covid-19 tests per residential address. Visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ for more information.  • There is a limit of one order per residential address. 


• The information needed for the order is first name, last name, and household address.

• Your order cannot use a place of business as an address. 

• If you want to track your package, you can include an email address with your order. 

• Tests will be shipped via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and will ship for free starting in late January.

Recommendations for People with COVID-19 and COVID-19 Close Contacts

Have you tested positive for COVID-19 or have mild symptoms and are waiting for test results?

  • Isolate. Stay at home for at least 5 days.
  • Wear a mask, stay in a separate room from other people, and use a separate bathroom if you can.
  • Do not travel for 10 days.
  • If you can’t wear a mask, stay home and away from other people for 10 days.

Contact your healthcare provider to discuss your test results and available treatment options.

At day 6 if symptoms are improving and you have no fever without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours:

  • You can leave isolation. 
  • Keep wearing a mask around other people for 5 more days. 

If your symptoms are not improving and/or you still have fever:

  • Continue to stay home until 24 hours after your fever stops without using fever-reducing medication and your symptoms have improved. 

After you feel completely better, keep wearing a mask around other people at home and in public through day 10. 

Have you been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

  • Quarantine: If you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccines or haven’t had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days. Avoid travel through day 10. If you are up to date or had COVID-19 in the past 90 days you do not have to quarantine. 
  • Wear a mask around other people for 10 days. 
  • Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days. 

Get tested on or after day 5 or if you have symptoms. People who had COVID-19 in the past 90 days should only get tested if they develop symptoms.


COVID-19 Action Plan - Governor Glenn Youngkin is taking decisive action to ensure that we keep Virginians healthy and keep our Commonwealth open for business.

Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools - This guidance provides further details for local health and school officials and parents to inform their decision making around COVID-19 containment.

VDH Algorithm for K-12 Parents - COVID-19 guidance algorithm for K-12 parents provided by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

Vaccine Finder COVID-19 Vaccine Locator  www.vaccines.gov

Vaccinate Virginia Statewide Call Center - 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) - Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 Virginia Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Website   vaccinate.virginia.gov  

Virginia Department of Health Vaccine Information website  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens Information LINK

Accessing a COVID-19 Vaccine If You Are Homebound

If you are homebound and need to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or your state or local health department. In many states, you may also dial 211 to connect to essential community services. 

If you are not able to arrange a COVID-19 vaccination through your healthcare provider or through your state or local health department, try contacting groups that are advocates for people who are homebound: 

The Aging Network at 1-800-677-1116 

Search for services by ZIP code with the Eldercare Locator 

Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199 

Hotline for Medicare recipients at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048) 

You may also try contacting private home health services, personal aides, or organizations such as Meals on Wheels. Sometimes these groups can advocate for you or inform you about the services available in your area.

COVID-19 Integrated County View - Level of Community Transmission provided by CDC (updates daily by 8 p.m. ET)

LINK

 For the latest information on COVID-19 and safety tips, visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) websites. The VDEM website includes all executive orders and relevant guidance in English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and soon to be Vietnamese and Tagalog.

The City of Suffolk leadership team is continuing to actively monitor coronavirus/COVID-19 and assess City operations based on developments. We are coordinating with the Western Tidewater Health District/Virginia Department of Health as it relates to City activities and services. Updates will be posted to this page as well as our social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

  • CITY OFFICES: Fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear face coverings in City facilities. If you’re not fully vaccinated, help protect others by continuing to wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. Please do not come inside City facilities if you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, or sore throat. Citizens may wish to conduct business online (City website), where offered, or contact the City Department/Office via phone, 757-514-4000 for assistance.
  • CITY COUNCIL: City Council meetings are aired live on the Suffolk Municipal Channel (Spectrum Channel 190) and live streamed at http://suffolkva.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=2 as well as on the City’s YouTube Channel found at https://www.youtube.com/CityofSuffolkVA so that the public is aware of all actions taken. The Suffolk City Council Work Session will begin at 4 p.m. with the City Council Meeting to follow at 6 p.m. There will be social distanced overflow seating in the main lobby of Suffolk City Hall with a live feed of the meeting displayed on the monitors in the lobby. Attendees will still have the ability to participate in public hearings and public comment portions as per usual meeting procedures. 
  • COURTS: Effective July 8, 2021, all courts in the Mills E. Godwin courts complex are fully open and hearing all matters.   
  • POLICE: The Suffolk Police Department has changed the way it responds to non-violent incidents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new response procedures are designed to reduce citizen’s and Officer’s exposure to the coronavirus in the line of duty. Further, Officers will be using social distancing and personal protective equipment to limit contact as much as possible in accordance with recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Police may not respond to non-violent offenses.  Incidents that can be adequately handled by telephone reporting will not have an Officer response. Citizens are encouraged to call Non-Emergency Dispatch at 757-923-2350, Option 8, to make telephone reports. Responses to serious incidents and threats to public safety will continue to receive priority responses.
  • SUFFOLK ANIMAL CONTROL:  As of March 15, 2021, the Animal Shelter reopened according to its normal schedule. Masking and social distancing will be required. For information, call 757-514-7855. 
  • SCHOOLS: For information on Suffolk Public Schools, please visit the SPS website. 
  • SOCIAL SERVICES: Effective March 15, 2021, the Department of Social Services opened to the public for in-person customer service.  Most services will continue to be offered in a virtual format for your convenience. To schedule an appointment for in-person customer service, please contact (757) 514-7450 or e-mail socialservices@suffolkva.us. To Report Child Abuse or Neglect: call the Suffolk Department of Social Services during regular business hours at 757-514-7450. Out-of-State callers can call  (804) 786-8536 and Hearing-impaired can call (800) 828-1120.
  • SUFFOLK TRANSIT: Suffolk Transit will continue under normal operations. Face coverings are recommended when using Suffolk Transit.
  • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER: Adhering to all current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Commonwealth of Virginia pandemic guidelines, the City of Suffolk announces the reopening of the Suffolk Workforce Development Center to the public on September 7, 2021, at its 157 North Main Street, 2nd Floor location. Current operations include self-service computer labs for job and education seekers as well as wrap around job readiness and employment assistance, which is available by appointment only. The Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Suffolk Workforce Development Center is an affiliate Virginia Career Works site equipped to meet the needs of employers and individuals through relevant training, education, and supportive services that enable self-sufficiency to include GED preparation. Some of the Center’s workforce development partners include: the College Career Academy at the Pruden (CCAP), the Virginia Employment Commission, the Virginia Community College System, Suffolk Department of Social Services, Suffolk Economic Development Department, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Virginia Veteran Services, Norfolk State University, The Stop Organization Inc., AARP Senior Employment Services, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services (DARS), Suffolk Literacy Council, Coalition Against Poverty (CAPS), Suffolk Public Schools, Blakey Weaver Counseling Center and a host of local employers.  We welcome all of our partners and citizens back into our facility. For more information, contact Larry Brunson, coordinator, at 757-514-7730 or email workforcedevelopment@suffolkva.us. 

Information on Staying Healthy

For official up-to-date information on COVID-19 and protection tips, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s information page.

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