Call a health care professional if you develop a fever and/or symptoms of respiratory illness - such as cough or shortness of breath - within 14 days of travel from an affected area or within 14 days of close contact with a COVID-19 patient.

 

If you do not have a primary care provider, call local health district. They will be able to walk through symptoms with you and determine the next steps if you need to be tested.

 

Older people, people with underlying medical conditions, and people with compromised immune symptoms should contact a healthcare provider early.

 

If you experience severe symptoms (e.g., persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips of face), contact a health care provider or emergency department and seek care immediately.

 

To determine who should be tested, providers evaluates a combination of symptoms and risk factors, which include:

 

• patients with a fever or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness who have had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset.

• patients who are hospitalized with a fever and signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness, and a history of travel from affected geographic areas with widespread or sustained community transmission within 14 days of symptom onset.

• patients with a fever, severe acute lower respiratory illness and a lack of alternative diagnosis.

 

At this time, asymptomatic people are not being tested.

 

Testing is available from the Ohio Department of Health State lab, some private labs and several hospitals. Results are generally available in 24 to 48 hours.

 

For more coronavirus information, visit the Ohio Department of Health's website or call their COVID-19 call center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.