Foothills Review

Cleveland County issued the following announcement on Mar. 31.

People with Mild Symptoms Should Stay Home

Seeking Test Risks Spreading COVID-19 to Others, and Positive Test Changes Nothing for Mildly Symptomatic Individuals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms should stay home and call their doctor for medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home. 

“It is critically important that people with mild symptoms stay home,” Interim Cleveland County Health Director Deshay Oliver said. “This will prevent them from spreading COVID-19 to others, particularly those who are at high risk for severe illness. Staying home could save someone’s life.”

This updated guidance is intended to slow the spread of the virus. When people with mild illness who do not have COVID-19 leave their homes to get tested, they could unintentionally end up exposing themselves to the virus. If people with mild symptoms do have COVID-19, they can give it to someone else, including high-risk individuals and healthcare providers. Further, because there is no treatment for COVID-19, a positive test result will not change what someone with mild symptoms should do, which includes staying home and isolating for a minimum of seven days since symptom onset and a minimum of 72 hours (three days) after fever and other symptoms have subsided. 

Finally, with a nationwide shortage on personal protective equipment, supplies need to be preserved to allow health care providers to care for people who need medical attention. Testing is most important for people who are seriously ill, in the hospital, people in high-risk settings like nursing homes or long-term care facilities, health care workers and other first responders who are caring for those with COVID-19. For most people, COVID-19 infection will cause mild illness that does not require medical care. However, it can make some people very ill and, in some people, it can be fatal.

Eight-one percent of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina to date are in individuals under the age of 65, and 11 percent of these cases are in individuals under the age of 25. Of the six current COVID-19 cases in Cleveland County, two are in the 18 to 24 age category, one is 25 to 49, one is 50 to 64, and two are over the age of 65. 

“The idea that this virus only effects those over the age of 65 is a misconception,” Oliver added. “While those over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions are at an increased risk of having severe symptoms, anyone can contract coronavirus and spread it to others. I encourage everyone to do their part to protect our community by staying home as much as possible. The more people adhere to recommendations, the sooner this will pass and the sooner everyone can return to their normal lives.”

Anyone with more serious symptoms should call their doctor or 911 right away. More serious symptoms can include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, and blue lips. Household members and people who have been in close contact with someone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home as much as possible for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms. Close contact means within six feet for at least 10 minutes. If they start having symptoms of COVID-19, they should take the same steps to prevent spreading it.

 

To stay up to date on COVID-19 in North Carolina, visit ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus or text COVIDNC to 898211. Call 2-1-1 (or 888-892-1162) for general questions or for help finding human services resources in your community. For current case counts of COVID-19 in Cleveland County, visit https://clevelandcounty.com/cchd/corona-virus-information/.

Original source: https://www.clevelandcounty.com/main/news_detail_T12_R191.php