Health

Rowan County Public Health Issues Crucial COVID-19 Guidance

Published

2 months ago

10 September, 2025

Your health officials in Salisbury are urging residents to adopt precautions as COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses, including the flu, colds, and seasonal allergies, become more frequent. The Rowan County Public Health department has released updated recommendations to help the community navigate these health challenges effectively.

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines

If you test positive for COVID-19, following specific steps is essential to protect both your health and the health of others. Residents are advised to stay home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms show improvement. After meeting these criteria, it is recommended to take additional precautions for the next five days.

During this period, individuals should:

Practice good hand hygiene.
Wear a well-fitted mask when in the presence of others.
Maintain physical distance when possible.

If symptoms return or a fever develops again after returning to normal activities, it is advisable to resume isolation and remain at home until fever-free for 24 hours without medication. These measures are vital in controlling the spread of the virus.

Understanding Seasonal Illnesses

As fall approaches, differentiating between the symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, seasonal allergies, and the common cold can be challenging. To assist residents, Rowan County Public Health has provided a symptom comparison chart:

Symptom	COVID-19	Flu	Seasonal Allergies	Cold
Headache	Usually	Usually	Rare	Rare
Cough	Usually (Dry)	Usually	Sometimes	Usually
Fever	Usually	Never	Sometimes	Sometimes
Muscle Aches	Usually	Usually	Never	Sometimes
Fatigue/Tiredness	Usually	Usually	Sometimes	Sometimes
Itchy Nose, Eyes, Ears	Never	Usually	Usually	Rarely
Sore Throat	Usually	Usually	Rarely	Usually
Runny/Stuffy Nose	Usually	Usually	Usually	Usually
Pink Eye	Sometimes	Sometimes	Never	Never
Nausea	Sometimes	Sometimes	Never	Never
Diarrhea	Sometimes	Sometimes	Never	Never
New Loss of Taste/Smell	Usually	Rarely	Sometimes	Sometimes
Shortness of Breath	Usually	Usually	Never	Never

The health department encourages everyone to remain vigilant, practice healthy habits, and consult with healthcare providers if they have any health concerns. Taking proactive steps is crucial in minimizing the spread of illnesses and ensuring the community remains healthy and safe. For further information, residents can visit the official website at www.rowancountync.gov/health.

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