COVID-19 is easily spread from person to person, especially in small spaces where people are close together. It is spread through respiratory droplets from coughs, sneezes and talking. The virus can be spread from surfaces where a person has coughed or sneezed and left respiratory droplets behind. It is not yet known how long the virus can live on surfaces, so it is important to disinfect frequently touched surfaces often.

The following symptoms are the most commonly observed amongst those with COVID-19 Coronavirus and usually appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of Breath

Newly identified signs of COVID-19 include:

• Sore Throat
• Loss of Taste or Smell
• COVID Toes – reddish purple blistering rash on the toes – most common in teens/younger patients
• Headache

Since testing of asymptomatic patients began, there have been many positive cases identified in patients with little or no symptoms.

People are most contagious when showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 Coronavirus, though there have been reports of asymptomatic spread of the disease.

The CDC website has many resources on how to protect your home and family from COVID-19.

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick
• Avoid touching your face, especially around the eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home if you are ill
• Cover coughs and sneeze into your elbow
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing the happy birthday song or the abc song)
• Stay informed and follow recommendations from state public health officials and the CDC

Most people who get COVID-19 Coronavirus exhibit mild symptoms similar to familiar cold and flu strains. Certain populations such as those over 60 years of age and those with underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes as well as those who are immunocompromised may exhibit more severe illness and should seek medical care quickly should symptoms arise. See the CDC guidelines for those who may be at increased risk of complications from COVID-19.

The CDC currently recommends the following actions for those who have symptoms of COVID-19:

1. If you have a fever or cough, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. Keep track of your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get medical attention right away.
2. Stay home unless you need medical evaluation and treatment. Due to a nation-wide shortage of COVID-19 test kits, patients who do not meet criteria for COVID-19 testing will not receive COVID-19 testing. Please do not come to the clinic for COVID-19 evaluation if you would not typically seek care for your illness.
3. Separate yourself from others in your home to prevent spread within your home. Best practices for at-home prevention of viral spread include wearing a face mask, frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, limiting your activity to one room and one bathroom, and disinfecting surfaces frequently.
4. Call ahead to your medical provider before coming in for evaluation or testing. Due to a national shortage of tests, at this time medical providers cannot test those who do not have symptoms or who only have very mild symptoms.
5. Monitor your symptoms to identify progression of the illness. Seek medical attention if the illness worsens.
6. Stay home until you have been fever-free for more than 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

People with COVID-19 who have home isolated can stop home isolation under the following conditions:

• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
  AND
• other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
  AND
• at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

If you were asymptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19, you can stop home isolation under the following conditions:

• At least 7 days have passed since your initial test UNLESS symptoms developed during your quarantine period, in which case, you should complete home isolation protocol as outlined in the first bullet point.