Below is up-to-date information about the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. Additional information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read on for answers to some common questions.
I may have been exposed to COVID-19. What should I do?
If you believe you might have been exposed to COVID-19 (through exposure to a person with known or suspected COVID-19, or if you live in or have visited an area with ongoing community spread of the virus) monitor your health and call your primary care provider right away if you notice any symptoms of the illness, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
Some emergency warning signs include: difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion or inability to wake, blue-tinged lips or face. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms develop.
Our self-checker tool provides information about COVID-19 risk, and suggests precautionary steps, based on your responses and CDC guidelines, in just a couple of minutes.
How do I get the COVID-19 test?
If your health care provider determines you should be tested for COVID-19 and orders the test, they may work with local and state health departments, or other labs, to coordinate testing. If testing is not readily available in your area, it may be limited to people who are hospitalized with severe symptoms. As treatment is based on symptoms, treatment recommendations will be the same whether or not testing occurs.
Find a COVID-19 Testing Center Near You.
Will insurance cover the cost of COVID-19 care?
Many insurers are waiving costs for COVID-19 testing provided at approved locations in accordance with CDC guidelines.
When should I consider telehealth, or a virtual visit?
If you believe you might have been exposed to COVID-19 and have symptoms that don't require emergency care, call your primary care provider right away. Your provider may offer a telehealth option and determine whether additional testing is needed.
For non-COVID-19 services, telehealth through your local health care provider or a national Virtual Visits provider may allow you to stay in the safety and comfort of your home when you have a health issue that is not urgent.
How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
One of the most important things you can do is to avoid contact with people who are sick. Other steps you can take include washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public, coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Use soap and water. If you don’t have access to soap, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands with sanitizer and rub them together until they feel dry. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and clean frequently touched surfaces at least daily.
If the virus is spreading in your community, practice social distancing, which includes avoiding social gatherings with 10 or more people, maintaining about 6 feet of distance from others when possible, and avoiding discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
How can I protect others?
Stay home if you are feeling sick, except to get medical care. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and throw away the tissue. Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer. Everyone should wear a cloth face covering when they are around others in public. Children under 2, people who have trouble breathing, and those who can’t take a face mask off without help, should not use one. If you are sick, wear a cloth face covering at home, too, and stay away from others in your household. (If you can’t wear one, people who care for you should wear one when they enter your room.) Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
For more go to the CDC’s website.
Who’s at higher risk for severe illness?
Early information suggests that some people are more at risk for getting severe illness from COVID-19, including adults age 65 and older, and people of any age who have chronic medical conditions, including heart or lung disease, diabetes or a weak immune system, or who have kidney or liver disease. People who are at higher risk for serious illness should contact their health care provider early, even if their illness is mild.
Last updated April 16, 2020.
Read more:
How to Prepare for Flu Season in the Time of COVID-19
Everything to Know About COVID-19 Testing
10 Ways to Work Out Without Going Anywhere
How to Build an Emergency Fund During a Downturn
How Health Experts Deal With COVID-19 Risks in Their Own Lives
STAFF
Rally Health
