Many patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed a fever or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing). However, limited information is currently available to characterize the full spectrum of clinical conditions associated with COVID-19. From what researchers know about the virus that causes COVID-19, signs, and symptoms may appear any time from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Based on preliminary data, the median incubation period is approximately five days but may range from 2 to 14 days. Public health officials have identified cases of COVID-19 infection throughout the world, including the United States, which may pose risks for public health. Please check the CDC webpage for the most up-to-date information.

A negative test result for this test means that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not present in the specimen above the limit of detection. However, a negative test result does not rule out COVID-19 and should not be the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions. A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of COVID-19. When diagnostic testing is negative, medical professionals should consider the potential of a false-negative test result in the context of a patient’s recent exposures and the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Physicians should especially consider the possibility of a false-negative result if the patient’s current exposure or clinical presentation indicates that COVID-19 is likely, and diagnostic tests for other causes of illness (e.g., another respiratory disease) bring no clarity. If COVID-19 is still suspected based on exposure history and other clinical findings, healthcare providers should consider re-testing in consultation with public health authorities.

If you feel sick with flu-like symptoms, please first call your doctor, a nurse hotline, or an urgent care center. If you need to go to the hospital, call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival. If you need to call 911, tell the 911 operator the exact symptoms you are experiencing so the ambulance provider can prepare to treat you safely.

Non-essential medical care like eye exams, teeth cleaning, and elective procedures should be canceled or rescheduled. If possible, patients should do health care visits remotely. Contact your health care provider to see what services they provide.

Yes. Be sure that you protect the elderly and yourself by following social distancing guidelines. Guidelines suggest activities such as washing hands before and after, using hand sanitizer, maintaining at least six feet of distance when possible, and coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue, and then washing your hands. If you have early signs of a cold, please stay away from your older loved ones.

Generally, no. There are limited exceptions, such as going to the hospital with a minor under 18 or someone who is developmentally disabled and needs assistance. For most other situations, the order prohibits non-necessary visitation to these facilities except at the end-of-life. Not visiting loved ones is difficult but necessary to protect hospital staff and other patients.

Our nurses treat clients without symptoms or known exposure to the coronavirus while following strict quarantine precautions. The nurses will arrive in N95 masks with all patients that remain on during the entire appointment. The nurses see a maximum of 4 patients in a 12-hour day, allowing enough time to go home, shower, change scrubs in between every appointment. We have other nurses who work primarily in Emergency Departments or other hospital departments who can care for COVID-19 positive patients. These nurses are separate from those who care for healthy clients without COVID-19 exposure.

Yes, all of our nurses will be wearing N95 masks and gloves during all appointments. We can provide them to you as well.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, our nurses have additional time between appointments to shower, change scrubs, and disinfect their equipment. Our nurses also wear N95 masks during all meetings.

We can provide you with the proper safety medical equipment. If you need an N95 mask during your appointment, your nurse will provide one to you.

Any nurse with exposure to a COVID-19 patient without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) will practice self-quarantine. Therefore, nurses with coronavirus exposure will not see patients for at least 14 days. At the first sign of symptoms, our medical professionals undergo testing. As supplies allow, we periodically test all staff members, even those without symptoms.

Along with mandatory uniform change, shower, and disinfection of equipment, our nurses wear the required gloves and N95 masks. They will not bring their personal belongings to the appointment and will only arrive with the necessary equipment for providing medical services.

We disinfect our equipment before and after use. The CDC directs the cleaning agents approved by the EPA used according to manufacturer’s directions as adequate to sanitize instruments and surfaces.