San Andreas, CA…Fall and winter bring an increase in respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) because colder weather drives people indoors where viruses spread more easily. Calaveras County Public Health is asking residents to take simple steps now to stay well.

Respiratory viruses infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms can make it difficult to tell from each other. Anyone can get sick, even healthy people. Some people are at higher risk of becoming very sick or needing to be hospitalized. At times, respiratory illness can lead to death.

While respiratory viruses can spread year-round, viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV are more active from October through March or April. You can keep up with the latest state data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on the CDPH Respiratory Virus Dashboard.

“A few simple steps can go a long way to keep ourselves, our families, and our community healthy this fall and winter,” said Dr. René Ramirez, Calaveras County Health Officer. “Now is a good time to make sure you’re up to date on recommended vaccines and know what to do you if you get sick.”

Six Ways to Protect Yourself and Others
1. Get your shots. Vaccines are the best way to lower your risk of getting very sick.
2. Stay home when you are sick. This keeps the virus from spreading to other people.
3. Wash your hands. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you do not have soap, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
4. Cover your cough or sneeze. Use your elbow or a tissue. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
5. Wear a mask in crowded indoor places. An N95 or KN95 mask works best. This matters most if you are at high risk.
6. Bring in fresh air. Open windows or doors when it is safe to do so.

Know the Symptoms
Common symptoms of respiratory illnesses include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, body aches, and feeling very tired. If you feel sick, think about testing for COVID-19, flu, or RSV. Call your health care provider if you have questions about your symptoms or treatment. Treatment is available for some respiratory illnesses and works best when started early.

Visit the CDC website for more information on Flu: What To Do If You Get Sick and the Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19.

Where to Get a Test
Calaveras County residents have options for testing:
• Buy an at-home test. At-home COVID-19 tests are sold at pharmacies and many stores in Calaveras County, and online. You do not need a prescription.
• Ask your pharmacist about Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal members may be able to get at-home tests at no cost. Ask at a pharmacy that takes Medi-Cal Rx.
• Check with your health plan. If you have other insurance, call your plan to ask which tests it covers.
• See your doctor or clinic. Your provider can test you for COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Call the office if you are sick.

If a date on the test box has passed, there is a chance it could still be used. The FDA has extended the dates for many tests. Check the FDA list of at-home test expiration dates.

Vaccines for the 2026–2027 Season
Flu: Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot each year. Try to get it by the end of October. Adults 65 and older should ask for a high-dose or adjuvanted flu shot.

COVID-19: An updated COVID-19 vaccine for this season was approved in late August 2026. It matches the strain that is spreading now. CDPH recommends it for adults 65 and older, people with health conditions that raise their risk, people who are pregnant, children 6 to 23 months old, and anyone who wants protection. Adults 65 and older should get a second dose 6 months later.

RSV: Adults 75 and older, and adults 50 to 74 with health risks, should get one RSV shot. It is not a yearly shot. People who are pregnant should get it between 32 and 36 weeks. Babies younger than 8 months can get an RSV antibody shot if their mother did not get the vaccine while pregnant.

Pneumonia: Some pneumonia is caused by bacteria, not a virus, and it often follows a cold or the flu. A pneumococcal vaccine lowers that risk. Adults 50 and older should get one dose if they have never had it. Adults 19 to 49 with certain health conditions should get one too. Most children get this shot before age 5. For most people it is a one-time shot, not a yearly one. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need it.

A state law passed in 2025, Assembly Bill 144, requires California health plans to cover the vaccines that CDPH recommends. California pharmacists can give these vaccines to people age 3 and older without a prescription. See the full list of state recommendations on the CDPH vaccine recommendations page.