Instructions

If you are experiencing severe respiratory distress or have a medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room.

NOVA Patient Care is NOT able to evaluate patients or perform testing for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please help us PROTECT you, our patients, and staff! BEFORE VISITING NOVA Patient Care, if BOTH (A) and (B) below apply, call your nearest Emergency Room for assistance.

(A) You have one or more symptoms of Coronavirus:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath.

-AND-

(B) Your symptom(s) developed within 14 days of a contact or possible exposure. Contacts and possible exposures include any of the following:

• Contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient.
• Contact with a person who has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting results.
• International travel.
• Being in an area with community transmission of COVID-19.*

*Visit the CDC's website for the most up-to-date information about areas with community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States and globally.

If you have only a symptom or symptoms but no contact or possible exposure, you may be registered and treated at Patient First in the usual manner.

If you have only a contact or possible exposure but no symptoms, we recommend:

• That you call and speak to the local Health Department about your risk level and the possible need for self-isolation.
• If you are unable to speak to the Health Department, you should self-isolate until you are able to contact the Health Department.
• If you develop symptoms (fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing), go immediately to the emergency room.

How is Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spread?

The novel Coronavirus is spread person-to-person when infected individuals cough or sneeze, sending contagious respiratory droplets airborne. These droplets can then land on or be inhaled by others who are in close contact with them (within 6 feet). These droplets may also contaminate solid surfaces within the room. With this virus, it seems that individuals can become infected even when the contagious person is not displaying any symptoms. The most common symptoms have been similar to those of the flu: cough, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

How Can I Protect Myself?

Since there is currently no vaccine to prevent the novel Coronavirus, the best way to avoid infection is to maintain proper hygiene:

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, using the restroom, coughing, or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you cannot wash them.
• If you need to sneeze, do so into a tissue. If one is not readily available, sneeze into your inner elbow. Wash your hands immediately afterwards.
• Disinfect often-used items and surfaces regularly.
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For more information and updates on the 2019 novel Coronavirus, please refer to the CDC’s website here.