May 23, 2023
- Being up to date on your vaccinations
- Use at-home tests if you’ve been exposed or have symptoms
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Follow recommended precautions
- Contact us to speak to one of our Infectious Disease Epidemiologists if you have questions about COVID
FAQ COVID-19 Questions with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer
Before contacting us, please watch these videos. They may answer your questions/concerns.
Community transmission of COVID-19 has been documented in Douglas County. Accurate information is very important. Douglas Public Health Network officials have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Douglas County Health officials have established a hotline (541) 464-6550 for people with questions. The call center will be staffed with health care professionals who can answer questions from the public. Call center hours will be 8am-5pm until further notice.
If I am sick, what do I do?
If you are feeling reasonably well, you might not need to visit a clinic or hospital, which allows providers to focus on patients who most need care. If you are very ill or having trouble breathing, call your healthcare provider and only call 911 if it is an actual emergency.
If someone has a cough and a fever, and/or difficulty breathing, where can they go to be tested for COVID19?
Most people with cough, fever and mild illness can recover at home and do not need to seek medical care. If you are feeling reasonably well, you might not need to visit a clinic or hospital, which allows providers to focus on patients who most need care. If you are very ill or having trouble breathing, call your healthcare provider and only call 911 if it is an actual emergency.
What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus?
The disease progression of COVID-19 ranges from person to person. Symptoms of COVID-19 are non-specific and the disease presentation can range from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe pneumonia and death. People with COVID-19 generally develop signs and symptoms on an average of 5-6 days after infection (mean incubation period 5-6 days, range 1-14 days).
According to the World Health Organization, “As of 20 February 2020 and based on 55924 laboratory confirmed cases, typical signs and symptoms include: fever (87.9%), dry cough (67.7%), fatigue (38.1%), sputum production (33.4%), shortness of breath (18.6%), sore throat (13.9%), headache (13.6%), myalgia or arthralgia (14.8%), chills (11.4%), nausea or vomiting (5.0%), nasal congestion (4.8%), diarrhea (3.7%), and hemoptysis (0.9%), and conjunctival congestion (0.8%).”
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 is spread when people touch or breathe in droplets made when ill people cough, sneeze or talk. This can happen when someone is close to a sick person, within six feet. Rarely, people might catch COVID-19 by touching a surface that a person with the infection coughed or sneezed on, and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. Coronaviruses can’t survive for long on surfaces, though, so this isn’t common.
What is my risk of getting COVID-19?
Your risk of becoming ill from COVID-19 depends on your exposure to the virus. We recommend taking the steps listed below to decrease your risk of infection.
What is the best advice to lower my chance of contracting COVID-19?
Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others. Get vaccinated and boosted if you’re eligible.
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
Stock up on supplies.
Avoid crowds as much as possible.
During a COVID-19 outbreak or surge in cases in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
We recommend to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands and finally, get vaccinated.
Please call our hotline if you have additional questions about COVID-19. 541-464-6550.