Prevention

Health officials recommend taking the same precautions for COVID-19 as you would for avoiding colds and the flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, like phones, tables, doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Symptoms

The CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2–14 days after being exposed to the virus:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If you have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past two weeks AND develop symptoms, call your doctor.

If you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 AND develop symptoms, call your doctor.

If you don't have a doctor or health care provider, or are uninsured, contact a federally qualified Community Health Center.