• COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. It can be very contagious and spreads quickly. Over one million people have died from COVID-19 in the United States.

• COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.

• Some people including those with minor or no symptoms will develop Post-COVID Conditions – also called “Long COVID.”

• COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. In some circumstances, these droplets may contaminate surfaces they touch.

• Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.

• Trouble breathing
• Peristent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If someone is showing any of these signs, 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.

• Length of time: Longer exposure time increases the risk of transmission.

• Cough or heavy breathing: Activities like coughing, singing, shouting, or breathing heavily due to exertion increase the risk of transmission.

• Symptoms: Being around people who are symptomatic increases the risk of transmission.

• Masks: If one person was wearing a mask, the risk of transmission is decreased, and if both people were wearing masks, the risk is substantially decreased.

• Ventilation and filtration: More outdoor air can decrease the risk of transmission.

• Distance: Being closer to someone who is infected with COVID-19 increases the risk of transmission. Crowded settings can raise your likelihood of being close to someone with COVID-19.

• If you have symptoms, test immediately.
• If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.

Any positive COVID-19 test means the virus was detected and you have or recently had an infection.

• Isolate and take precautions, including wearing a high-quality mask or respirator, to protect others around you from getting infected.
• Tell people you had recent contact with that they may have been exposed.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency care immediately.
• Contact a healthcare provider, community health center, or pharmacy to learn about treatment options that may be available to you. Treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.

A negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule out that you could have an infection. If you used an antigen test, follow FDA recommendations for repeat testing.

• If you have symptoms:
- You may have COVID-19 but tested before the virus was detectable.
- Consider that you may have another viral infection or illness that you need to get tested for. For many diseases, including flu, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is very important for preventing severe illness.
- Take everyday preventative actions to prevent spreading an illness to others.
- Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result or if your symptoms worsen.

• If you do not have symptoms but were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you should continue to take recommended steps after exposure.

• If you do not have symptoms and have not been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you may return to normal activities.
- Continue to take steps to protect yourself and others, including monitoring for symptoms. Get tested again if symptoms appear.