COVID-19
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. This respiratory virus can be very contagious and spread quickly through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do not have symptoms. More than 1.2 million people have died of COVID-19 in the United States. Learn more about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For Rhode Island COVID-19 numbers, visit our Respiratory Virus Data page.
At-Risk Populations
Many factors can make it more likely for someone to become very sick from a respiratory virus, including COVID-19. There are several specific considerations for people with certain risk factors for severe illness.
CDC offers separate, specific guidance for healthcare settings, including nursing homes, for COVID-19
Symptoms
COVID-19 most often attacks your lungs and respiratory system, causing symptoms that can feel like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever or chills
- Muscle or body aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Fatigue
- Recent loss of taste or smell
Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness. This list does not include all possible symptoms. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
If you or anyone you know is having the following symptoms of COVID-19, call 911 or get yourself or that person to the nearest hospital right away. Tell 911 or the hospital you or that person has COVID-19:
- Trouble breathing
- Ongoing pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Long COVID
Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection. These effects are known as Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions.
How It Spreads
This respiratory virus can be very contagious and spread quickly through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do not have symptoms.
Prevention
The CDC recommends that all people use prevention strategies to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Vaccination
To stay protected against COVID-19, it’s important to keep your vaccines up to date. This means getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine when you are eligible. Everyone age 6 months or older can get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Updated Vaccines
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated 2026-2027 Moderna, Pfizer, and Sanofi (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccines in August 2026. These vaccines target currently circulating variants and provide improved protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death for the following age groups:
- Moderna: age 6 months or older
- Pfizer: age 5 years or older
- Sanofi (Novavax): age 12 years or older
A second dose of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 is recommended for some people:
- The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends a second dose for people age 65 or older.
- The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends a second dose for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Where To Get Vaccinated
- You can get COVID-19 vaccines at your usual healthcare locations such as doctors’ offices and pharmacies. Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacy if they offer the COVID-19 vaccine.
- To find COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines based on your location and vaccine type, visit VaxAssist.
Community Clinics
2026-2027 vaccination clinics are held at schools in the late afternoon and evening and are open to the entire community. You can currently register for flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available at these clinics for people age 3 and older. Register for school and community clinic vaccinations at schoolflu.com.
- It's safe to get both vaccines at the same visit
- No insurance required
- No out-of-pocket cost for vaccination
- You can get the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine even if you haven't gotten a COVID-19 vaccine in the past
You must pre-register to guarantee an appointment. You can select any available timeslot as a placeholder. Walk-ins are accepted on a limited basis, as resources allow.
Transportation to Vaccination Appointments
You can use public transportation to get to many vaccination sites across the state. To view routes and walking distances, use RIPTA’s Trip Planner at ripta.com. If you need help, call RIPTA’s Customer Service team at 401-781-9400.
Anyone enrolled in Medicaid or older than age 60 can use the Non-Emergency Medical Transport Service provided by MTM. Book transportation online at mtm.mtmlink.net or call 855-330-9131 (TTY: 711) at least 2 business days before your appointment.
Testing and Diagnosis
It's important to test for COVID-19 so you can take steps to keep yourself and others safe. If you test positive, seek COVID-19 treatment to protect against getting very sick and take steps to prevent spreading illness to others.
Test for COVID-19 if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Even if your symptoms are mild and you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, test and stay home and away from others.
How can I get tested for COVID-19?
- You can use COVID-19 self tests to learn your COVID-19 status in 15-30 minutes, whether you have symptoms or not. These are also called at-home tests or over-the counter tests. You can buy them through pharmacies and online retailers.
- Call your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician, local healthcare clinic, or pharmacy to find out if they offer COVID-19 testing or if they can order a test through a laboratory.
Be sure to check with your insurance provider about coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.
Treatment
If you have mild to moderate COVID-19, treatment can prevent hospitalization and death and reduce your risk of getting Long COVID. It's most important if you are at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19.
Treatment is more effective if you start as soon as your symptoms start. Get tested and talk to your doctor about the treatment that’s best for you as soon as you have COVID-19 symptoms.
To find treatments near you, use the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response treatments locator.
COVID-19 Treatment Options
There are 3 authorized treatments for COVID-19. Paxlovid (oral antiviral) is the recommended treatment for COVID-19. If Paxlovid is not right for you, a healthcare professional may recommend Remdesivir (IV antiviral). If Remdesivir is not right for you, a healthcare professional may recommend Molnupiravir (oral antiviral).
For the safety of others, it’s best not to enter the store when picking up a prescription to treat COVID-19. Consider these options instead:
- Contact the pharmacy ahead of time to make sure your prescription is ready
- Use the drive-thru lane, if available
- Ask a staff member to bring your prescription to the front entrance
- Ask the pharmacy about delivery options
- Ask a friend or family member to pick up your prescription
Who: Paxlovid is available to people who are age 12 or older and started having mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 5 days.
How: Paxlovid is a pill you can take at home. Your healthcare professional can send a prescription to a pharmacy near you that has oral antivirals.
Cost assistance: If you have Medicare or Medicaid or are uninsured and you do not have a prescription drug benefit, you can get Paxlovid for free through December 2024 through Pfizer’s Patient Support Program. If you have private insurance, you can get Paxlovid at little or no cost through Pfizer’s Co-Pay Savings Program.
Who: If Paxlovid is not right for you, a healthcare professional may recommend Remdesivir. Remdesivir is an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 given by IV (intravenously). Anyone age 28 days or older who weighs 3 pounds or more and started having mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 7 days is eligible for IV antiviral medications.
How: Call your healthcare provider right away and ask about IV antivirals. You will need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional first. Your healthcare professional will refer you to a healthcare facility that offers IV treatment. Treatment takes between 30 and 120 minutes. You will also need to be monitored for 1 hour after the treatment. This treatment takes place 3 days in a row.
Cost assistance: If you are uninsured or privately insured, you may be able to get financial support for treatment with Remdesivir.
Who: Molnupiravir is available to people who are age 18 or older, who started having mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 5 days, and who cannot take Paxlovid or Remdesivir.
How: Molnupiravir is a pill you can take at home. Your healthcare professional can send a prescription to a pharmacy near you that has oral antivirals.
Cost assistance: If you are eligible and can’t afford treatment, you can get Molnupiravir for free through the MerckHelps Patient Assistance Program.
Treatment Resources
- About VEKLURY® (remdesivir) and Treatment of COVID-19
- FDA Fact Sheet on Paxlovid
- FDA Fact Sheet on Molnupiravir
- If you don’t have a regular healthcare professional, visit RIDOH’s website to find urgent care and health centers.
