Our tools and resources for dealing with COVID-19 have improved greatly since the early days of the pandemic. But the importance of taking precautions if you are sick or have been exposed has not changed. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or believe you have been exposed to the virus, you should take the following actions.
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you start taking precautions immediately.
- Start wearing a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed
- Wear a mask when around others indoors for ten full days
- Watch for symptoms
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate immediately
- Get tested on day 6 whether you have symptoms or not
- If you test positive, isolate immediately
If you have tested positive
If you test positive for COVID-19, start following the CDC's recommended isolation procedures immediately. These include:
- Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask
- Do not travel
- Stay home and separate from others as much as possible
- Use a separate bathroom if possible
- Monitor your symptoms
- Watch for emergency warning signs
Look for Emergency Warning Signs
If someone is showing any of these signs*, they should seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.
If you have questions about symptoms contact your doctor or seek medical attention.
If you start to have trouble breathing or have a change in mental status, seek emergency care or call an ambulance. DO NOT WAIT. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Protect yourself and others
The CDC recommends a number of prevention actions that will help reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. These include:
If you are at high risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, talk to your healthcare provider to see if treatments and therapeutics are right for you. Treatment includes oral antiviral medication, which is free to the patient, although the provider might collect insurance information.
For more information on treatment, call your primary care doctor to find out more or visit www.pima.gov/covid19treatment.