Navigating the Fall Surge: Preparing for COVID-19 and the Impact on Schools and Vaccines

As COVID-19 cases surge in Allegheny County, Dr. LuAnn Brink, chief epidemiologist at the Allegheny County Health Department, advises residents to stay up to date on vaccinations, including a forthcoming booster shot for the Omicron subvariant Kraken. Annual flu shots are also recommended. Public testing is no longer available, but testing can be done through healthcare providers, clinics, and major drugstore chains. Over-the-counter home tests are available for purchase. Wearing masks and practicing good respiratory etiquette are encouraged, although a mask mandate is unlikely to return to the county.