Health Services Update

Humanpapillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that usually causes no immediate symptoms. This is a common virus and most people will get some form of HPV in their lifetime. This virus is easy to catch and can affect the mouth, throat, or genital area.  You can get HPV from any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area; vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or sharing of sex toys. You don’t need to have sex with lots of people to get HPV; you can catch it on the first time you have sexual intercourse. Some forms of HPV can cause genital warts or cancers such as cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, vulval cancer, vaginal cancer, and some types of head and neck cancer.

The HPV vaccine is the best protection against the strains of the virus that causes some types of cancers. Condoms can help protect you against HPV, but they do not cover all the skin around your genitals so you are not fully protected.  

If you are not already vaccinated against HPV, it is recommended that you get vaccinated as soon as you are able. There will be a vaccination clinic at Health Services on November 11. The HPV vaccine (three shot series) will be available, along with other common vaccinations.  

You can find out more information and sign up by following this link: Vaccination Clinic

COVID-19 Updates

New COVID-19 cases, week of 10/16/22-10/22/22: 4

• Need more tests? You can order free at home tests from the Minnesota Department of Health: When you enter your address, you will need to put in your room number  Order Your Free At-Home Rapid Tests through the State of Minnesota (mn.gov)
• Use our COVID-19 reporting form to report symptoms, positive tests, or vaccination/booster updates.
• When to test: If you feel ill with COVID like symptoms, take a COVID test (day 1 – 24 hours post onset of symptoms). If the test is negative, repeat the test 48 hours later (day 3).  If you test negative and are still concerned you may have COVID-19, you may choose to test again 48 hours after the second test (day 5).
• Exposed to COVID-19: Start wearing a mask right away and test five full days (day 5) after the last time you were in close contact with a person with COVID-19. Your last day of contact is day zero. If your test is negative on day 5, repeat another test 24 to 48 hours later (on day 6 or 7) and continue to wear a mask for 10 full days.
• Still have questions about how and when to use a self test? Check out this video from the CDC When to use a self test