Your Fall 2023 COVID Cheat Sheet

This information in this post is current as of this posting on September 7, 2023. On September 12, the CDC recommended fall 2023 COVID vaccines for everyone age 6 months and older. Read more on our blog.

To stay up to date on the latest COVID news in Dane County, be sure to subscribe to our blog.

Like the last few years, we anticipate seeing an increase in COVID-19 infections over the fall and winter months. We pulled together a cheat sheet with links to resources so you know where to go if you need to stock up on rapid tests, what to do if you’re sick or exposed, and where to find answers to some common COVID questions. Read on!

Stay tuned on fall 2023 vaccination.

We’re still waiting for more information on COVID vaccination for this fall. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets on September 12, and we’ll have more information about recommendations after that meeting.

At Public Health Madison & Dane County, we likely won’t have vaccine until the end of September, though area pharmacies and doctor’s offices might have vaccine sooner. With the fall 2023 COVID vaccine, we won't be able to vaccinate people with health insurance. See our blog for more information.

Have a few rapid, at-home tests on hand.

• Where to get them. The Post Office is again delivering free tests. Visit covidtests.gov to order a box with four tests. You can also pick up at-home tests from area libraries (call ahead to check supply) or at our South Park Street or East Washington locations during business hours. You can also get at-home tests in stores, at pharmacies, and online.
• Check your rapid test’s expiration date. Many have had their expiration dates extended if the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized. The FDA has a searchable list of authorized at-home test kits with extended expiration dates.

Know what to do if you test positive for COVID.

• Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
• Access free COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth service from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This service is for Wisconsinites ages 18 and older to help them access COVID-19 treatments. Learn more on the DHS website.
• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others in your home.
• Wear a high-quality mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public.
• Read full details, including how to isolate and when to end isolation, on our What to Do if You’re Sick page.

Know what to do if you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID.

• Wear a high-quality mask for 10 days after having close contact with someone with COVID-19.
• Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19, even if you don't have any symptoms.
• Watch for symptoms through 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results.
• Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
• Read full details, including how to know if you were a close contact, on our What to Do if You’re Exposed page.

Get answers to common COVID questions.

We have several very popular blog posts that answer frequent questions in more depth:

• How long are you contagious when you have COVID-19?
• Is it possible to get COVID-19 within 3 months of my last infection?
• Did you test negative when sick or exposed to COVID? Here’s what it means

Find recommendations and guidance for travel, schools, and businesses in one place.

We have COVID-19 recommendations and guidance all in one spot on our website.

Follow the data through the season.

While we have our existing COVID-19 dashboard, this fall we will be launching a more comprehensive respiratory virus dashboard. This new dashboard will track trends in RSV, flu, and COVID. Subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when it launches!

Stay in touch.

Follow us on social media (@publichealthmdc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and subscribe to our blog to get the latest COVID news throughout the season.