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.

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.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person by respiratory droplets. Normally, to come into contact with these droplets, individuals must be within 6 feet of someone who is contagious. Individuals may also become infected with COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. To learn more about how COVID-19 spreads, please visit Transmission of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from cdc.gov.

What are the symptoms and when do they appear?

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear within 2-14 days of exposure. This is why quarantine for COVID-19 lasts 14 days. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. For more information on symptoms please visit Symptoms on the cdc.gov website.

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?

Older adults, individuals who are immunocompromised and those with a serious medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes and/or lung disease are at the highest risk. For more information, please visit If You Are at Higher Risk on cdc.gov

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. 

Disaster Distress Helpline

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 does “community spread” mean?

Community spread means people are being infected with the virus with no related travel. 

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.

Can COVID-19 live on surfaces?

Studies show that COVID-19 can live on surfaces for a few hours to days, depending on the material, temperature and environment.

Why are flu shots important at this time?

Estimates by the CDC state that between Oct. 1 and Feb. 29 there were at least 34 million illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths caused by the flu. These cases place a burden on our healthcare system. Reducing flu in our community protects your health, the health of our community and allows our healthcare system to be more available to respond to other ailments, like Coronavirus.

Is COVID-19 a seasonal virus? Will it go away with warmer weather?

Currently, several countries that are being impacted by COVID-19 are experiencing summer weather. While some viruses are less common in warmer months, it is still possible to catch them all year round and researchers are still unsure what impact weather will have on the COVID-19 outbreak.

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

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

At this time, there is no vaccine available.

How can I protect myself and others?

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Practice social distancing and avoid being within 6 feet of people, especially those that are sick.
• Avoid touching your face; especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue. If you use a tissue, throw it away in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces such as door knobs, light switches and cell phones.
• Stay at home when you are sick or have symptoms of illness such as fever, cough and sore throat.
• All people 2 years of age and older are recommended to 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.

For more information, please visit Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on cdc.gov.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is when an individual increases the physical space between them and other individuals. Staying at least 6 feet away from other people reduces the chance of catching COVID-19. Examples of social distancing include:

• Attending school online
• Visiting loved one electronically
• Working from home
• Cancelling or postponing conferences, large meetings and social gatherings

Masks

• CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.
• Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
• Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.
• Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Masks with exhalation valves or vents should NOT be worn to help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading COVID-19 to others (source control).

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

Testing

What type of COVID Testing is available?

Who should be tested for COVID-19?

Only individuals who meet current CDC criteria for COVID-19 testing may be tested at this time. 

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

Quarantine

What is self-quarantine?

Self-quarantine is being recommended for individuals who have recently traveled to certain parts of the country or world and for those who have been exposed to an individual that is infected with COVID-19. Additionally, those who have symptoms of COVID-19 without travel or known contact may also be asked to self-quarantine at this time. 

Quarantine for COVID-19 lasts 14 days. This amount of time determines whether someone will become sick and contagious with COVID-19. If someone is quarantined, they are expected to stay inside their home and at least 6 feet away from the other individuals in their household. A separate bathroom should be utilized for the quarantined individual, if possible. Individuals who are quarantined should also refrain from sharing cups, utensils, towels and similar items. They should not go out in public and should have shared areas in the home frequently disinfected with appropriate cleaners and disinfectants. Once your quarantine period ends, if you’ve had no symptoms, you are free to resume normal activities. However, if the COVID-19 outbreak is still taking place, you should still practice social distancing and other prevention measures.

For additional information regarding quarantining and caring for yourself at home, please visit Caring for Yourself at Home on cdc.gov

Self-Isolation in Detail

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).

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.