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    COVID-19

    Last updated on May 4th, 2023 at 10:54 am

    The CDC’s COVID-19 Toolkit includes information on free masks, treatment, vaccines, and testing available in your community.

    COVID-19 is commonly known as a coronavirus, which is an umbrella term for viruses identified by their unique corona or crown shape. COVID-19 specifically refers to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Other coronaviruses include common colds, SARS, and MERS.

    Since its recognition in late 2019, COVID-19 has impacted every country and community around the world. COVID-19 has proven to be very successful at transmitting between people by respiratory secretions of all sizes. Asymptomatic carriers (people without symptoms of disease) can spread COVID-19, making it difficult to identify who is actually infectious with the virus. Respiratory secretions occur while people are breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, and more. Vaccinations are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19, but transmission continues. Along with vaccination, physical distancing, masking, and hand washing are other strategies to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

    Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Headaches
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Nausea
    • Diarrhea

    Other symptoms could be signs of serious illness. If someone has trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, or difficulty staying awake, get medical care immediately.

    Find no-cost testing near you:


    COVID-19 Resources

    Articles

    Information for Farmers, Ranchers and Farmworkers

    Podcast Episodes

    Prevention Strategies

    Webinars

    Webinar TitleSummaryLink
    Forging Partnerships and Finding Resources to Promote Worker Health

    As COVID-19 vaccination requirements continue changing across the country, access to vaccines and testing remains vital for the health of our agricultural communities. Many local Health Departments have mobile units that can provide free, on-farm services. The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) will share an overview of strategies and resources on how to proactively ensure the well-being of your workforce. Presenters will show you how to find free mobile health services in your area and share available resources and tips on how to find health education materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for farmworkers.

    Prevention of Covid-19 Among the Agricultural Industry: Contact Tracing

    The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected humans on a global scale in a noticeably short time. Individuals working in agriculture who, as “essential workers”, are exempt from stay-home mandates, and are naturally at increased risk of negative health, economic, social, and familial consequences from the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Language and cultural differences, rural geographies, socioeconomic pressures, and immigration status are among the barriers that impede agricultural workers access to critical education and prevention technologies emerging to combat COVID-19. Additionally, the unusual persistence and multimodal transmission cycle of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from ongoing scientific study may require customization of otherwise standard prevention messaging to agricultural workers to further prevent infection and disease exacerbation.

    Page updated: May 2023