(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — COVID cases increased in El Paso County over the summer, and now that kids are back in school, cases are picking back up once again. Communicable Disease Program Manager at El Paso County Public Health Haley Zachary said public health is asking Coloradans to be responsible by staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness. Zachary said it's best to stay home until symptoms have either resolved for a full 24 hours or your fever has been gone for a full 24 hours. In addition to staying home when sick, there are vaccines which are available through the health department as well as pharmacies and your primary care providers. "While they may not 100% prevent all illness, what they are shown to do is reduce the severity of illness," said Zachary. "So lessening the number of people who are going to be hospitalized and die from those infections." U.S. households are eligible for up to four free COVID test kits, which can be ordered right now at COVIDtests.org. Test kits will be shipped for free starting next week through the U.S. Postal Service. The COVIDTests website also has resources on finding a test immediately, what to do if you test positive, and step-by-step instructions on how to properly administer the COVID test.