Public Health Awareness

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus making headlines across the world, it’s important to provide information about how to prevent its spread and how Lee Health supports the community.

There are seven known coronaviruses that can affect humans, and four of them are relatively common and cause cold-like symptoms.

Just because someone is diagnosed with coronavirus does not mean it is the COVID-19 strain.

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The virus can cause symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Some patients only show mild symptoms and recover, but others have developed life-threatening complications like pneumonia. 

On April 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added six symptoms to its coronavirus list: Chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.

On June 30, the CDC added three new symptoms to watch out for: nausea, congestion/stuffy nose and diarrhea.

The CDC says these symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the coronavirus. More symptoms may be added to the list as scientists learn more about the virus

How can you avoid COVID-19?

• Proper handwashing. Remember to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap.You can also use hand sanitizer with greater than 60 percent alcohol. Read more tips on when to wash, how to wash, and other important life-saving instructions from the CDC.
• Avoid making contact with your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
• If you are sick, stay home to help prevent the spread of disease.
• Clean frequently utilized areas.
• Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Should you wear a mask?

The Centers for Disease Control urge people to wear cloth face coverings or masks when they go out in public.

Many people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms, but they can still spread germs through coughing, sneezing, or even talking. That means face coverings are essential when visiting public places such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals. 

And if you are sick, wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of germs to other people.

Social Distancing is Still Key

Remember: Social distancing is still the primary method of combating the spread of COVID-19. 

Wearing masks and other face coverings should NOT replace staying at least 6 feet away from one another, working from home, avoiding public gatherings, and only venturing out for essential services.

Face Coverings

Learn more from the CDC about how to make your own face covering as well as the proper way to wear them, clean them, and other essentials.

Precautions/Preparations

Lee Health experts have precautions in place if a patient with COVID-19 comes into one of our health care settings. Our team holds exercise drills throughout the year for cases such as this.

Every hospital has plans, protocols, and appropriate supplies and equipment in place to care for patients with serious infectious diseases. All clinical staff are trained in standard infection control procedures.

 If a patient is suspected of having the COVID-19, we take the following steps:

• Screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms and travel history
• Isolate a patient with possible exposure to COVID-19
• Protect the safety of caregivers and staff by providing appropriate information and personal protection equipment (PPE)
• Provide any emergency care needed to stabilize a patient isolated due to possible COVID-19 exposure
• Contact local and state health departments and the CDC to determine plans for testing, and if the case is confirmed, care.

What if you get sick?

Lee Health recommends following the CDC's guidelines. Click here for information about how to track symptoms, stop the spread and when to seek medical attention.

Quarantine or Isolation: What’s the difference?

The Southwest Florida community continues to stand tall during COVID-19, and Lee Health’s dedicated healthcare workers are here for you every step of the way.

Quarantine

• Recommended for those who have had a known or suspected exposure to a contagious disease (like COVID).
• You should stay home, away from other people, except for medical care or basic necessities. If you must take care of a family member, they may have to quarantine as well.
• Lasts for 14 days — this allows enough time to develop an infection from exposure.
• Sometimes you may be requested to test during this time, BUT a negative test at any point does not end your quarantine sooner.

Isolation

• Recommended for those who have a suspected COVID infection or a first positive test for COVID
• You should stay home, away from other people, except for medical care or basic necessities. If a family member must take care of you, they will need to quarantine after you are well (or after their last exposure to you while you are on isolation).
• Lasts for at least 10 days
• The 10 days start with your first symptom or positive test (if asymptomatic)
• This means that if you become sick while on quarantine, your 10 days starts at that time—not at the beginning of quarantine.
• If you are improving and have no fever at the end of 10 days, you can stop your isolation.
• Repeat testing is not recommended.