Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 when you are sick

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you may have COVID-19, follow the steps below to take care of yourself and help protect other people in your home and community.

• Stay home without access to health care
• Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have a minor illness and can recover at home without health care. Do not leave your home, unless you have health care. Do not visit public places.
• Take care of yourself. Relax and stay clean. Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before getting medical help. Make sure you get care if you have trouble breathing, have other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
• Avoid public transportation, rides, or taxis.
• Separate yourself from other people
• As far as you can, stay in a room away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be with other people or animals inside or outside the home, wear a mask.

Tell your nearest contacts that they may be exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 for up to 48 hours (or two days) before a person has any symptoms or is tested for HIV. By notifying your closest contacts that they may be exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.

Additional guidelines are available for those living in close quarters and shared housing-

• See COVID-19 and Animals if you have any questions about pets.
• If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, someone from the health department may call you. Answer calls to delay spread.
• Monitor your symptoms
• Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or other symptoms.
• Follow the care instructions from your healthcare provider and your local health department. Local health authorities may issue instructions for assessing your symptoms and reporting information.
• Time to seek emergency medical attention

Look for urgent * warning signs * for COVID-19. If someone shows any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:

• Breathing hard
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to get up or stay awake

Pale, pale, or blue skin, lips, or nails, depending on the skin

* This list is not all possible signals. Please call your healthcare provider for any other serious or related symptoms.

Call 911 or call your local emergency center in advance: Let the operator know if you want to care for someone with COVID-19 or who may have it.

• Call in advance before visiting your doctor
• Drive forward. Many general medical care visits are postponed either by telephone or telemedicine.
• If you have a doctor’s appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor’s office and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office to protect itself and other patients.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. While you wait for the test pdf icon, you stay away from others, including staying away from those who live in your home.
• Self-examination is one of the few virus-testing options that causes COVID-19 and may be much easier than laboratory-based testing and care facilities. Ask your healthcare provider or local health department if you need help interpreting your test results.
• You can visit your region, nation, local icon, and the local health department’s website to view the latest local information on testing sites.
• If you are sick, wear a mask on your nose and mouth
• You should wear a mask on your nose and mouth if you have to be with other people or animals, including pets (even at home).
• You do not need to wear a mask when you are alone. If you are unable to apply the mask (due to shortness of breath, for example), close your cough and sneeze otherwise. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. This will help protect the people around you.
• Masks should not be worn on children under 2 years of age, anyone with respiratory problems, and anyone who can remove the mask without assistance.

Note: During COVID-19 violence, a medical-grade face mask is reserved for health workers and first responders.

• Cover your cough and sneeze
• Close your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Dispose of used tissue in the rubbish bin.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Wash your hands often
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after snoring, coughing, or sneezing; to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Use a hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. Use an alcohol-based disinfectant with at least 60% alcohol, cover all areas of your hands and rub until dry.
• Soap and water are the best options, especially if the hands appear dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Handwashing Tips

• Avoid sharing personal belongings
• Do not serve utensils, drinking glasses, cups, dishes, towels, or blankets with other people in your home.
• Wash these items thoroughly after using them with soap and water or put them in a dishwasher.
• Clean all “most affected” areas daily
• Clean and disinfect the most affected areas of your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. Allow someone else to clean and disinfect common areas, but you should clean your bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
• If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s room or bathroom, they should do so accordingly. The caregiver / another person should wear disposable masks and gloves before cleaning. They should wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom before going in to clean and use the toilet.
• Highlights include phones, remote controls, counters, tablets, door buttons, toilets, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
• Clean and disinfect areas where there may be blood, feces, or body fluids.
• Use household cleaners and disinfectants. Clean the area or object with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then use a household disinfectant.
• Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to ensure the safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend keeping the face moist for a few minutes to ensure that germs are killed. Many also recommend safety measures such as wearing gloves and making sure you are in good spirits while using the product.
• Use the product listed in E EPA: Coronavirus antibiotics (COVID-19) exterior icon.