• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

• Stay home if you are sick. Self-isolation, until your symptoms resolve and up to 14 days helps to prevent spreading, especially avoid contact with those over 60 and/or with additional serious chronic medical conditions
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Put your used tissue in a waste basket and wash your hands. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Practice social distancing by avoiding large crowds.
• Avoid handshakes, hugs, and kisses.
• Maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid non-essential travel.

• Stay at home as much as possible.
• Avoid gathering in public places.
• Get your exercise outside rather than in a space with groups of people.
• Take advantage of grocery delivery and pick-up services or shop when it is less crowded. Keep 6 -10 feet away from other people.
• Avoid handshakes, hugs, and kisses.

Image Description:
This graph, adapted from the CDC, shows the difference between the number of sick people if we DON'T take steps to reduce the number of people who contract the virus versus if we DO take those steps, like Social Distancing. There is a threshold where hospitals have enough space to care for very sick people. If we do not take those steps, hospitals will become overwhelmed, and they will not be able to care for those who need emergency treatment, and more people could die. If we can decrease the peak number of people who are all sick at the same time, the hospitals can care for everyone. 

Can anybody get tested for COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations are to test high-risk patients with fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, and travel from the infected areas or exposure to a positive COVID-19 patient.

Where do I go to get tested if I have fever, dry cough, and suspect COVID-19?
Book an appointment with your primary doctor or urgent care clinic by phone or online, and notify the schedulers about your symptoms and why you suspect COVID-19. You may be asked to place a mask when arriving to the clinic unless you have one already. If you are deemed high risk, your care team may swab your nose and throat in their offices and send the samples to one of the labs that run the test.

How much does the test cost?
Right now the state labs are not charging patients for the test. Most insurance plans have said they will cover the tests at commercial labs. Please check with your insurance provider for confirmation.

How long does it take to get the results?
Currently it takes 2-4 days to receive results from any of the labs.

Source: Austin Regional Clinic

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