COVID-19

Is there a hotline I can call for more information on COVID-19?

Yes, please call 2-1-1 for all general COVID-19 questions. 

The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.   

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, is a new virus that has the potential to cause severe illness, including pneumonia, in some individuals.

What are the symptoms and when do they appear?

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

Is it possible to have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

Yes. It is possible to test positive for flu (as well as other respiratory infections) and COVID-19 at the same time. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.

The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year. Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce your chances of getting flu. See Prevent Seasonal Flu for more information.

How is COVID-19 treated?

There are currently no treatments for COVID-19. People infected with the virus should receive supportive care to relieve symptoms. These include getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. For severe cases, treatment may require hospitalization.

Who is most vulnerable to COVID-19?

People at increased risk include older adults & people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions. Visit the CDC website for more information.

I’m healthy. Why should I be concerned about COVID-19?

While young people generally have less risk of death related to COVID-19, they can still have severe cases that can lead to hospitalization and they are also capable of infecting others.

I’m COVID-19 positive and want to breastfeed, how do I do so safely?

Mothers who are breastfeeding and become COVID-19 positive can continue to breastfeed as long as they wash their hands before touching their baby and wear a mask while breastfeeding. 

What does “community spread” mean?

Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. Each health department determines community spread differently based on local conditions.

What is “flattening the curve”?

"Flatten the Curve" to keep the number of sick individuals below the threshold of how many the hospitals can treat.

Is Coronavirus in our water?

Coronavirus has never been detected in water and our water treatment methods help remove or inactivate viruses. Please see the CDC’s website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

Are hospitals, medical providers and the Health Department required to report positive cases of COVID-19?

Yes. Positive cases of COVID-19 are classified as “immediately reportable” in the state of Texas and any providers, hospitals and labs must report to DSHS or the local health department immediately. DSHS has a notifiable condition hotline that is available 24/7.

Several Texas laws (Health & Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84, and 87) require specific information regarding notifiable conditions be provided to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Health care providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code). Failure to report a notifiable condition is a Class B misdemeanor under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §81.049.

Will the health department tell the public about positive COVID-19 cases?

Yes. The Health Department will report all positive COVID-19 cases to the public, DSHS and the CDC as this is required by law to ensure the health and safety of our community. Community members cannot appropriately protect themselves from COVID-19 if they do not know where COVID-19 is located or how COVID-19 is spreading. We also notify individuals that have come into contact with a positive case via social tracing.

(Health & Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84, and 87)  (Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code).

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet, or 2 arm lengths). It spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. These particles can be inhaled, and this is thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Droplets can also land on surfaces and objects and be transferred by touch. A person may get COVID-19 by touching the surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

Please visit CDC.org for up to date information about COVID-19 vaccines.

How can I protect myself and others?

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
  • Choose a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that fits snugly against the sides of your face.
• Stay 6 feet apart and avoid crowds.
  • The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
• Avoid indoor spaces as much as possible, particularly ones that aren’t well ventilated.
  • You may find it harder to stay 6 feet apart in indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often.
  • Use soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Prevent getting sick with these and more tips from CDC website.

Masks

• Masks help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus.
• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
  • Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Do NOT use a mask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

For more information about face masks, visit the CDC website.

What is contact tracing?

Contract tracing is the monitoring and notification process our Epidemiology team will use to determine who may have been in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case, although contact tracing is used at times with other infectious diseases. Contact tracing helps us prevent further virus transmission and it allows the contact person to get tested, if deemed necessary.

Contact tracing has 3 main steps:

1. Identify contacts: Someone that tests positive with COVID-19 will be interviewed to find out where they have been and who they have come in close contact with. These individuals are identified as “contacts”.

2. Contact listing: After contacts are identified, they are contacted to inform them of their status. Our Epidemiology team will explain what this means, what actions they should take and what to do if they develop symptoms. Quarantine will be required for COVID-19 contacts. If an entire group of people is potentially exposed, such as a church or a store, we will notify that location of this possible exposure and when the possible exposure might have occurred.

3. Contact follow up: Our Epidemiology team will follow-up with contacts to monitor them for symptoms and request testing, if deemed necessary.

What type of COVID Testing is available?

Should I be tested?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first. Most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested. CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are made by state and local health departments and healthcare providers.

What do I do if I think I have COVID-19? How do I get tested?

• Step 1: Call your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, please call the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District at 325-692-5600.
• Step 2: Call ahead before going in person to the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District or any other medical facility.
• Step 3: Don’t go to the local emergency department for COVID-19 testing. The emergency department is only for those who need the most critical care.*

General questions about COVID-19? Call 2-1-1

*If you are experiencing potentially life-threatening problems, call 9-1-1

Can someone text negative and later positive on a viral test for COVID-19?

Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others. See Testing for Current Infection for more information.

What is self-quarantine?

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others & monitor their health. A 14-day quarantine period is still considered the safest way to prevent spreading the infection to others.

The CDC has also identified two alternate quarantine periods as outlined below:

• 10-day quarantine period:  No testing required AND only if there are no symptoms during daily monitoring.  Monitor symptoms until day 14.
• 7-day quarantine period:  If a PCR or antigen test is negative AND there are no symptoms during daily monitoring.  The test may be performed on days 5, 6 or 7 of quarantine but not before.  If the test is negative, quarantine can end on day 8 with continued daily monitoring for symptoms until day 14.

With both the 7- and 10-day methods of release from quarantine, individuals should continue to monitor themselves closely for any symptoms. Symptoms can include the loss of taste and smell, a headache, diarrhea and vomiting as well as traditional cold and flu symptoms. If COVID symptoms begin after release from quarantine, individuals should immediately isolate again and contact their primary care doctor or the health department for evaluation and possible testing.

For additional information regarding quarantining and caring for yourself at home, please visit Caring for Yourself at Home on the CDC website.

Information Updated as of 12/8/2020

What is Self-Isolation?

Self-isolation is when you remain in your house after you start showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic. Monitor your symptoms and do not leave your home except to get medical care. If you need emergency care, call 9-1-1.

You can be around others:

•  After 10 days since symptoms first appeared, and
• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever reducing medications, and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving (lost of taste and smell may persist for weeks and months after and need not delay the end of isolation)

Have a separate space for the sick person that allows access to a restroom, if possible avoiding travel through common spaces. Have all family members wash hands and avoid contact with the sick person as much as possible. Wear masks to prevent droplets from spreading through the air, and clean high-touch surfaces regularly.

Recovery Time

Recovery from COVID-19 can take a long time, even in young adults with no chronic conditions. 1 in 5 previously healthy young adults (ages 18-34) weren't back to usual health 14-21 days after testing positive. Stay well and protect others by staying 6 feet away from others not living in your household, washing your hands often, and wearing a face covering consistently and correctly while in public. Learn more about this finding on CDC.gov