These instructions from the Arlington Public Health Division and Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management tell you what to do if you are sick or have symptoms, or what to do if you come into close contact with someone who is sick.
Following these steps will limit disease spreading in your home and community.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
If You Are Sick and Have Symptoms…
- Stay home. Avoid contact with others, do not share personal items, and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
- Monitor your health. Stay in touch with your doctor. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care.*
― Call before you get medical care.
― Seek medical attention immediately if you develop trouble breathing,pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face. Call 9-1-1. - Wear a facemask (or a bandana or scarf that covers your nose and mouth) when around other people.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces everyday.
- Do not leave home until fever-free for 72 hours (without the help of medication) AND at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- Inform close contacts. Talk to everyone who has been within 6 feet for more than a few minutes while you were sick, including the 48 hours BEFORE you developed symptoms. Tell them to stay home for 14 days.
*Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Seek care early.
If You Had Close Contact with Someone Who Is Sick…
- Stay home for 14 days since you last interacted with the ill individual. Avoid contact with others even though you may feel well. Do not share personal items,and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
- Wear a facemask (or a bandana or scarf that covers your nose and mouth) when around other people.
- Monitor for symptoms. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times aday and watch for fever or cough.
- Keep your distance from others (at least 6 feet).
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces everyday.
- If you become sick, stay home, keep your distance from others, and inform close contacts you are sick. Follow the guidance under “if you are sick & have symptoms.”
- Inform close contacts. Talk to everyone who has been within 6 feet for more than a few minutes while you were sick, including the 48 hours BEFORE you developed symptoms. Tell them to stay home for 14 days.
Set Up Your Buddy System Now
If you become ill or need to isolate or self-quarantine, you may need help from other people. And other people may ask you for help. Plan ahead and reach out now – safely – to put your “buddy system” in place.
Buddies can be:
- Friends and neighbors
- People you know through work and social networks
- Members of faith groups
- Members of neighborhood associations (many have Facebook or NextDoor groups or other ways to be in contact)
- The new Arlington Community Corps is another way to find a buddy (and be a buddy to someone who needs one).
Having a buddy system will make it easier to get things like food and medicine if you are unable to leave your home. We recommend that every household has two “buddy system” households to call upon for help if needed.