COVID-19 General Information

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:

• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body aches
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

What if I have some of these symptoms?

If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19, stay home except to get medical care or to get tested for COVID-19. Do not leave your home, do not have visitors, and do not go to public places. Stay away from others in your home as much as possible.

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain, or other severe symptoms and need immediate medical help, call 911.

COVID-19 Testing Information

You should get tested if:

1. You are experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19
2. You were in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19*
3. You will be in close contact with members of the vulnerable population

For information on how to schedule a COVID-19 test at one of our community testing sites in Clear Creek County or how to receive a free At-Home Rapid Test, visit our COVID-19 Testing page. 

What if I have been exposed to someone with COVID-19?

For guidance on quarantine and isolation, please visit this page: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Quarantine and Isolation

Who is at risk from becoming severely ill from COVID-19?

Though anyone who is infected with COVID-19 can experience mild symptoms to severe illness, there are some populations that are at higher risk for becoming severely ill: 

1. Older people (over age 60), especially those over 80 years
2. People who have chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, or other conditions
3. People who are immunocompromised
4. People who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19

How To Reduce Your Risk and Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19

The virus that causes COVID-19 primarily spreads from person-to-person. The virus is thought to spread mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales while talking, singing, yelling, etc. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. The virus can also be spread by airborne transmission or via contact with contaminated surfaces.

You can protect yourself and others by practicing these actions:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when in high risk settings.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from people that you do not live with.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You may also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as long as it contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Get your COVID-19 vaccine when one is made available to you.
• Routinely clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, sink handles, and your phone. 
• Make healthy lifestyle choices, like drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep to help your immune system better fight off infections.
• Stay home if you feel sick.
• Get a flu shot.

It is important to do these things at all times even when you feel healthy, as there are some cases of people infected with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic, meaning they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but are still able to spread the virus to others.

It is also important to be prepared for the event that you have to isolate or quarantine by having a two-week supply of food, medication, and other essential items in your home so that you do not have to leave and potentially expose others to this highly contagious virus.

Click here for more information on COMMUNITY SUPPORT, including food, grocery shopping, housing, and mental health services.

The CDC webpage for People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 provides additional information on how to plan and prepare for isolation and/or quarantine if you are at high risk.