VALDOSTA – Whether it’s COVID-19, the flu or a cold, sick individuals should STAY HOME.  

Staying home when sick is important for all respiratory illnesses but is critical during a public health emergency.

If you are experiencing a fever or cough, you should stay home to avoid spreading the illness and to allow yourself time to focus on recovering. This means not going to work, school or “stopping by the grocery store for just a minute.” This also means not using public transportation or ride sharing services. 

You should stay home until three days after symptoms have resolved. This means if you have a fever, stay home three days after being fever free without use of a fever reducer or if you have a cough, staying home three days after your cough has resolved without a cough suppressant.

It is also important for businesses to send home any employees exhibiting symptoms. These individuals should not return to work until they have been symptom free for at least three days.

Anyone who believes they have COVID-19 or are waiting for results of COVID-19 testing, should stay home for 14 days and should not leave their home unless it is to seek medical care. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must remain under home isolation precautions until: You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

Prevention is a very crucial step in stopping the spread of illness. The best prevention measures for any respiratory virus are:

• Practice social distancing by putting at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

If you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your suspected exposure and your symptoms.

For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 visit southhealthdistrict.com/covid19, dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.