Next year will mark seven years since COVID-19 arrived in the U.S. and sparked a pandemic. But it’s not in the rearview mirror yet.
According to the most recent statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year under 18% of Americans received COVID booster shots. And the latest numbers, which track through late spring of 2026, show less than 10% had continued to get their shots.
MCM asked County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis for her best medical advice as the cold, flu and COVID season comes up on the calendar.
Here’s what she told us:
- COVID testing is still important, but we don’t need to test every time we have respiratory symptoms.
- The CDC now recommends that if you’re sick with a respiratory illness, you should stay home until your symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication. That advice applies whether your COVID test is positive or negative.
- Testing is especially important for people at higher risk of serious illness because we have treatments that work best when started within 5–7 days of symptoms beginning. I encourage everyone to talk with their doctor before they get sick to understand their risk and whether COVID testing and treatment should be part of their plan.
- Testing can also help protect vulnerable loved ones, particularly if you have symptoms and are planning to visit them. But if you’re sick, it’s best to postpone the visit regardless of the test result.
- The bottom line: Stay home when you’re sick, know your risk, and test when the results will help you make decisions about treatment or protecting others.
Check with your medical provider or local pharmacy to schedule a COVID booster shot.
