All Needs Covered, LLC

COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses which can make humans and animals sick. Some coronaviruses can cause illnesses similar to the common cold or the flu virus. Others can cause more serious illnesses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 just by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid crowds where infection can spread more readily; maintain social distancing by being about 6 feet apart from others to avoid close contact.
• Avoid contact with sick people as much as possible.
• Avoid non-essential travel.

Patients have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath (i.e., difficulty breathing)

• If you feel sick with fever, develop a cough, or have shortness of breath contact your health care provider to evaluate your symptoms. Call your provider before seeking care and tell them about your travel and your symptoms.
• If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms or are having an emergency, call 911 and tell them about your symptoms and travel history. DO NOT call 911 and/or go to the emergency room for mild symptoms that are manageable at home.
• CDC: Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick

If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact your doctor or health care provider, and they can order a test. Health care providers are using their medical judgement to order tests for COVID-19.

• Your doctor will review your symptoms to make a medical decision on whether to test you. For example, your health care provider will consider your symptoms, how long you’ve been sick, and your potential for exposure, among other factors.
• It is important you call your doctor before going to the office and follow their instructions. They will need to put infection control precautions in place prior to your visit.
• Your doctor will collect nose and throat swab specimens, and these specimens will be shipped to a laboratory for testing.

Arlington County Public Health, along with other public health agencies in the region, is not testing for COVID-19. You must contact your doctor to be evaluated.

Anyone who is confirmed via lab testing with COVID-19 is investigated and monitored by the health department.

• The health department conducts a "contact investigation" to identify additional people who came in close contact with individuals in order to decrease the spread of the illness. Those close contacts will be self-quarantined and actively monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. If close contacts start experiencing symptoms, they will immediately be tested.
• The health department routinely conducts contact investigations for other communicable diseases like measles and tuberculosis–and now, COVID-19–to determine who is at high risk for exposure to stop the spread of the disease.