Covid-19
Do you have symptoms of COVID-19?
Are you experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath? If you think you may have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or exposure, please stay at home to protect yourself and others. The best first step is one of our remote resources:
- Engage with our symptom checker chat box. Get your questions answered and be routed to the right care for your unique situation from this page.
Stay Informed
Our hospitals are closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and are in close contact with local health authorities. For more information for the public and health care providers on coronavirus, please visit the CDC website.
Some CHI LakeWood Health events and activities have been cancelled or postponed out of an abundance of caution. Please double check the status before arriving at an event.
Precautions
Remember to take everyday preventive actions that are always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
Signs & Symptoms
For most healthy people, mild cases will have symptoms much like the common cold. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
We all know how to take care of mild cases – stay home, drink lots of fluids and curl up in bed for a few days. Things will generally get better with time and rest. If symptoms are worsening, you should contact your healthcare provider; otherwise, stay home until symptoms are fully cleared.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- 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.
(Information is courtesy of the CDC.)
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor right away if you have COVID-19 symptoms and you’ve possibly been exposed to the virus. Tell your doctor if you’ve recently traveled internationally. Call your doctor ahead to tell him or her about your symptoms and recent travels and possible exposure before you go to your appointment.
For information regarding COVID-19, please refer to the following web resources:
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html and Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19
- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) – https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html