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1. How is COVID-19 treated?

On October 2020, the FDA approved the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19. The drug may be used to treat adults and children ages 12 and older and weighing at least 88 pounds, who have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Clinical trials suggest that in these patients, remdesivir may modestly speed up recovery time.

Most people with mild COVID-19 illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications. However, some cases develop pneumonia and require medical care or hospitalization.

If you experience a medical emergency such as trouble breathing, call 911 and let the operator know you may have COVID-19. Never take prescription medicine or drug if it is not prescribed for you by your doctor for your health condition.

2. What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

Symptoms of COVID-19 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

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html 

Life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19 include:

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

3. What are the symptoms of COVID-19 vs allergies and the flu?

This graphic explains the differences in symptoms.

4. How long does the virus stay alive on different surfaces?

A few hours to several days.  This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

5. What are the differences between social distancing, quarantine, and isolation?

Source: http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Isolation_and_Quarantine_Guidance_and_FAQ.pdf 

6. If someone in my household is quarantined, are we all quarantined?

No, only the person who had close contact with a positive patient is required to quarantine. 

You should stay away from the person in quarantine as much as possible, and avoid sharing sleeping quarters and bathrooms.

If symptoms develop, seek medical attention and follow the recommendations of your doctor.

7. How do I care for someone who is sick?

The CDC has guidelines for caring for someone who has the Coronavirus.

• How to care for someone who is sick
• What to do if you are sick

8. What is close contact?

KDHE says close contacts are those exposed to a person with COVID-19, even if that person didn’t have symptoms, if any of the following situations occurred:

• Living with the person or stayed overnight for at least one night in a house with the person; or
• Within 6 feet of the person for 10 consecutive minutes or more; or
• Direct contact with the infectious secretions of the person (for example, coughed or sneezed on; kissed; contact with a dirty tissue; shared a drinking glass, food, towels, or other personal items).

Anyone who has close contact with a positive patient must complete a 10 day quarantine period beginning after their last contact.

Household contacts, or people who live with someone who tested positive, are required to quarantine for 10 days after the last close contact, which in most circumstances means 10 days after the patient has recovered. A person whose spouse or roommate tests positive may have to quarantine for a total of 20 days or more.

9. What is the amount of time for quarantine?

10 days is the required quarantine time, adopted as of December 10, 2020.

Patients may end their quarantine period after day 10 if they do not develop symptoms.

A person who has had close contact with a positive patient is required to quarantine for 10 days. Close contacts are those exposed to a person with COVID-19, even if that person didn’t have symptoms, if any of the following situations occurred:

• Living with the person or stayed overnight for at least one night in a house with the person; or
• Within 6 feet of the person for 10 consecutive minutes or more; or
• Direct contact with the infectious secretions of the person (for example, coughed or sneezed on; kissed; contact with a dirty tissue; shared a drinking glass, food, towels, or other personal items).

Household contacts, or people who live with someone who tested positive, must be quarantined for 10 days after the case has been released from home isolation (because exposure is considered ongoing within the house).

10. Is there any right to appeal a county quarantine or isolation order?

An individual, or group of individuals, isolated or quarantined may request a hearing in district court contesting the isolation or quarantine BUT this will not stay or enjoin an isolation or quarantine order. Upon receipt of a request, the court shall conduct a hearing within 72 hours after receipt of the request. While the district courts are currently closed, the Chief Justice’s order has made provisions for the filing and hearing of these appeals. See K.S.A. 65-129c. 

Source: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.lkm.org/resource/resmgr/education/covid-19/quarantine_law_summary.pdf 

11. When should I call 911?

The Riley County Police Department Dispatchers are here to serve you around the clock. They are the critical bridge between the public and medical assistance that could save a life.

Help us ensure they can get help to the people who need it most by only calling 911 for emergencies.

12. Can I get advice online?

Apple and the CDC, together with the White House and FEMA, launched a new website with a COVID-19 screening tool to help people protect their health. This tool can help you understand what to do next about COVID-19.

Let’s all look out for each other by knowing our status, trying not to infect others, and reserving care for those in need.

https://www.apple.com/covid19?fbclid=IwAR0SAlLUuer1fi0QhOGpV5UTdRl7cI9eBdpEcZ8HiT03mF2ZKBt02mbvEaQ 

13. How do I contact the Q&A hotline?

A question and answer hotline for general questions about the coronavirus response in Riley County is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Q&A hotline number is 785-587-4526. The phone line is not staffed and will allow you to leave a voicemail. You call will be returned as soon as possible. Please be patient, we are receiving a high volume of calls and emails at this time and will do our best to respond quickly.

14. How do I contact the screening hotline?

A screening hotline staffed by medical personnel is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon or from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to provide guidance for anyone who has symptoms. The screening hotline number is 785-323-6400.

15. Should I wear a mask?

The CDC recommends the use of face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19 

Masks or face coverings must be worn in any public space in Riley County as of November 24, 2020, per the details of Local Health Order No. 19

A “public space” means any indoor or outdoor space or area that is open to the public; this does not include private residential property or private offices or workspaces that are not open to customers or public visitors. Masks are not required in outdoor public spaces if a distance of 6 ft can be maintained.

A “mask or other face covering” means a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears, or is simply wrapped around the lower face.

If you have received both doses of the vaccine, it is recommended you continue to wear a mask so you do not risk spreading COVID-19 to those who have not been vaccinated.

Read the complete text of Local Health Order No. 19 on the Riley County website at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=2804

Find more information from CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

KDHE Advice About Masks

16. What does "public outbreak" mean?

An outbreak is defined as five or more cases that are linked epidemiologically with respect to person, place, and time. In other words, the five patients shared close contacts and location, and have symptom onsets within 14 calendar days of each other.