COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person in respiratory droplets from someone who is infected. People who are infected often have symptoms of illness. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads and the severity of illness it causes.

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.

All symptomatic individuals must isolate at home to help control the spread. If you have symptoms, stay home and isolate yourself from other housemates for ten days from symptom onset. If possible, sleep in your bedroom and use a bathroom set aside only for the sick individual.

Get tested on day 3-7 of your symptoms. Each county has different testing availability and procedures. Click here to find your local health department and their current recommendations.

We agree with the CDC that the best way to prevent spread of the virus is to follow everyday preventive actions.

Yes! If testing in your area is available. Day 3 of your symptoms is the best day to get tested. Anytime after day three and in the first week will give the best possibility of getting a true positive test result. Testing during the first two days of symptoms is likely to provide a false negative, so avoid getting tested too soon. There may not yet be enough viral particles to turn the test positive.

If testing is not available in your area, then stay at home and self-isolate for ten days. Call your doctor or go to an emergency room if you have worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, or mental status changes.

The tests for symptomatic people are either antigen tests or PCR or molecular tests. Antigen tests have a faster turnaround time, but a higher false-negative rate. PCR tests can take 3-10 days to come back depending upon lab capacity but are more sensitive tests. Both antigen and PCR tests are very specific, that means, if it’s positive, you can believe the test. Both of these tests are swabs of the nose, nasopharynx (deep in the nose), or oral tests. The tests can be done by a healthcare worker, the patient who is directed by a healthcare worker, or in some cases, at home with instructions.

Testing locations can be found using the links below.

Quarantine is for exposed but asymptomatic people. Isolation is for people who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or who have tested positive for COVID-19 (whether or not they have symptoms). Both are methods of controlling the spread of the virus.

Without testing, there is no definitive way to tell the difference between ALLERGIES and COVID-19; however, these are the primary distinctions:

First, determine if you count as a close contact by answering this question: Were you within six feet of the person for more than 15 minutes over the past 24 hours? If yes, you are considered a close contact, and you will need to quarantine for 14 days unless your local health department has adopted a shorter length of quarantine. Stay away from others during your quarantine. Check your temperature and watch for symptoms of COVID-19.

It depends on the recommendations of your local health department and testing availability. No matter the results of your test, after a close contact, you will need to stay in quarantine for 14 days. A positive test helps find other people who may now count as a contact because they were in contact with you.