Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Many patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed a fever and/or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing). However, limited information is currently available to characterize the full spectrum of a clinical illness associated with COVID-19. Based on what is known about the virus that causes COVID-19, signs, and symptoms may appear any time from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Based on preliminary data, the median incubation period is approximately 5 days but may range from 2-14 days. Public health officials have identified cases of COVID-19 infection throughout the world, including the United States, which may pose risks for public health. Please check the CDC webpage for the most up to date information. For COVID-19, close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting from 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person had any symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19.
If you were around someone diagnosed with COVID-19:
Stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults and people with other medical conditions, if possible.
If you have been around someone with COVID-19, stay home away from others for 10 days (self-quarantine) after your last contact with that person and monitor your health.
If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and away from others (except to get medical care or testing, if recommended).
If you need support or assistance while in self-quarantine, your health department or community organizations may be able to provide assistance.
If you test negative for COVID-19:
You probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. This does not mean you will not get sick:
A negative test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing or that your sample was collected too early in your infection.
You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and then get infected and spread the virus to others.
If you develop symptoms later, you may need another test to determine if you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
What if I have been asked to self-isolate?
Self-isolation helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and can help keep your family, friends, neighbors, and others you may come in contact with healthy. Stay home away from others except to get medical care. o Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
Stay in a separate room from other household members and use a separate bathroom, if possible.
Avoid contact with other household members and pets.
Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
Wear a mask when around other people
What happens if a nurse on your team is infected with COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Any nurse that has been exposed to a COVID-19 patient without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) will be practicing self-quarantine and therefore will not be seeing patients for at least 14 days. At the first sign of symptoms for our medical professionals, they are to be tested and as supplies allow periodically even without symptoms.
What EPA-approved household cleaning products kill COVID-19?
Below is a link to a list of disinfectants the EPA has assembled that should be used to combat COVID-19.
EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19
Remember: when these EPA-approved disinfectants are not available, you may use the FDA- approved 70% alcohol solution or 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water.