COVID-19 (Corona Virus)

Positive
If you have a detected test result, it is interpreted as a presumptive positive test result, and it is very likely that you have COVID-19. Therefore, it is also likely that you may be placed in isolation to avoid spreading the virus to others. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive result). However, your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on the test results along with other factors of your medical history, such as symptoms, possible exposures, and geographic location of places you have recently traveled.
Negative
A not detected (negative) test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample. For COVID19, a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms usually means that COVID-19 did not cause your recent illness. It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID-19, meaning you could possibly still have COVID-19 even though the test is negative. Therefore, while a negative test most likely means you do not have COVID-19, your healthcare provider will consider the test result together with all other aspects of your medical history (such as symptoms, possible exposures, and geographical location of places you have recently traveled) in deciding how to care for you. It is important that you work with your healthcare provider to help you understand the next steps you should take.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed fever and/or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (eg, cough, difficulty breathing). However, limited information is currently available to characterize the full spectrum of clinical illness associated with COVID-19. Based on what is known about MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, signs and symptoms may appear any time from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. The median incubation period is unknown at this time.

How can you protect yourself?

People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions.  

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
 

COVID-19 (Corona Virus)
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