COVID-19 FAQ

• COVID-19 is most commonly spread by means of airborne respiratory droplets produced when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks
• The respiratory droplets can land on the face of another individual and be inhaled into the lungs
• There is a greater possibility of transmission when individuals are standing within close contact (less than 6 feet apart)

• Severity of symptoms varies from person to person
• Symptoms can appear anywhere between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus
• Individuals may have the following symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

• If anyone is showing these please seek out emergency medical services immediately
  • Shortness of breath and trouble breathing
  • Pressure or pain in chest
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Inability to stay awake
  • Bluish coloring on lips or face

Make sure to call ahead and notify the operator that you are seeking out care for an individual who may potentially have COVID-19

• Yes it is possible to to have the flu and COVID-19 simultaneously

• If you’re showing symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider first before getting tested.

• There’s two kinds of available tests:
  • Viral tests check for a current infection
    • Viral tests Identify virus in respiratory samples
    • For a viral test, call your primary healthcare provider and list your symptoms and whether or not you may have been exposed to the virus
    • Your healthcare provider will direct you on how to proceed
    • If your primary healthcare provider is not offering testing visit your local or state healthcare department websites to see where testing is being offered
  • Antibody tests check for a previous infection
    • An antibody test checks a blood sample for antibodies of the virus causing COVID-19
      • A positive result to antibody tests indicate previous contraction of COVID-19, it does not indicate whether someone is currently positive for it
    • For an antibody test, call your primary healthcare provider and list your symptoms and whether or not you may have been exposed to the virus
    • Your healthcare provider will direct you on how to proceed
    • If your primary healthcare provider is not offering testing visit your local or state healthcare department websites to see where testing is being offered

• As of right now the CDC has not yet determined whether someone who has already recovered can get infected again
  • NOTE: regardless of whether someone has already recovered, please take steps to protect yourself

• Wash your hands often, especially after being in a public space
  • Wash hands with soap for 30 seconds
  • If in a place without soap or water use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth
• Keep a distance of at least 6 feet apart between others and yourself
• Cover mouth and face with a cloth or mask (especially when in public settings)
  • Continue to social distance and avoid touching despite wearing masks
  • Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces

• Face Masks do not completely prevent transmission.
• Rather they aid in preventing respiratory droplets from landing on other people which slows down transmission.

• Continue regular care and treatment for any health problems or conditions that require attention
• Continue medications and make sure you have at least a 2 weeks worth supply

• The virus can survive for a short period of time on surfaces, but it is unlikely to spread from domestic or international mail.
• However it is still possible for transmission from touching a surface that an infected individual has transmitted respiratory droplets to, despite it not being the most common way

• Make sure to commonly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as the following
  • Tables and countertops
  • Doorknobs and handles
  • Light switches
  • Phones
  • Keyboards
  • Faucets
• Clean surfaces with detergent, soap and water before using disinfectant on them
• EPA approved disinfectants 

• Cleaning does not kill germs, however since it lowers the amount of them, it also lowers the amount of risk of spreading the virus.

• If care is to be provided at home:
  • Make sure an infected individual has their own bedroom and bathroom
  • Make sure all individuals frequently wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
  • Make sure infected individual social distances and wears a face mask at all times
  • Avoid unnecessary contact with infected individual
• Families may choose to seek emergency medical care if symptoms are severe
  • Shortness of breath and trouble breathing
  • Pressure or pain in chest
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Inability to stay awake
  • Bluish coloring on lips or face

• Make sure to be alert and aware for any of the symptoms
• Continue to practice prevention methods
• Stay home, don’t leave unless to get medical care
• Stay in touch with your primary healthcare provider
• Separate yourself from other individuals
• Avoid sharing household items
• Wear a mask or cloth that covers your nose and mouth
• Wash your hands with soap and water often
• Clean and disinfect “high touch” items often (everyday)

• Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19

• Stock up on supplies in order to avoid being in public and around a dense population of people
• Make sure to social distance (stay 6 ft apart) with all individuals (includes household members)
• Frequently wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds