COVID-19 INFORMATION

What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus discovered in late 2019.  Most people with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment while others might become severely ill.

How does the virus spread?

COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

• Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
• Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
• Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.

Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatments

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Diagnosis

Types of tests

COVID-19 tests are available to test for current infection (diagnostic) or past infection (antibody)

A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. Two types of viral tests can be used: Molecular (RT-PCR, NAATs) and antigen tests.

• An antibody test (also known as a serology test) might tell you if you had a past infection. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection.

Treatment

Supportive care and symptom management are recommended for people positive with COVID-19 who are not at high risk of disease progression

Follow up with your healthcare provider for care and recommendations

COVID-19 vaccines are now available under the FDA-Emergency Use Authorization.

The best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one that is available to you. Do not wait for a specific brand. All currently authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines:

• Are safe,
• Are effective and
• Reduce your risk of severe illness.

CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another. The following vaccines are available in the US:

• Pfizer-BionNTech
• For people 12 years and older
• 2 shots
• Given 3 weeks (21 days) apart

• Moderna
• People 18 years and older
• 2 shot
• Given 4 weeks (28 days) apart

• Johnson & Johnson
• People 18 years and older
• 1 shot

You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after receiving the last dose of your shots

You do not need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated if exposed to an infected person with COVID-19.

Prevention Strategies

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
• Get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
• Clean high touch surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick

If you are sick with COVID-19 – Isolate yourself from others for 10 days.

Stay home except to get medical care

• Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care.
• Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
• Avoid public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.

As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom.

Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone. Any exposed person should quarantine for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms unless fully vaccinated.

When to seek emergency medical attention

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Content Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization