With the increase in COVID-19 cases, coupled with gatherings of friends and family, the Redding Health Department is reminding residents of what to do if testing positive or exposed to a positive case.  Anyone testing positive, develops respiratory or other symptoms, should isolate at home for 5 days or longer if symptoms persist, and a mask should be worn for at least 10 days starting from the day of the positive test. 

Anyone deemed a close contact and fully vaccinated, should monitor for symptoms and mask around others for 10 days and test on day 5 if possible. 

Hartline says there's a new Test to Treat option in the region. Residents can get tested for COVID-19, and if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them, they can obtain a medication from a health care provider, all in one location.  Those include the CVS on Durant Avenue in Bethel and Physician One Urgent Care locations in Ridgefield on South Street and Newtown on South Main Street. 

Hartline is reminding residents that while COVID-19 home test kits are available at stores and pharmacies, free tests can be ordered through the federal government at COVID.gov/tests.  Households are now eligible to order a total of eight kits.  Those who ordered four kits in January or February, can order four more.