Knowing what to do if you have a cough and fever during the spread of the new coronavirus can be difficult.
But there are some guidelines that health experts want you to follow.
First, check the Post and Courier’s disease panel here. This page will keep you updated on the number of cases in the state and the latest news.
And if you would like to contact our healthcare team with questions, stories or concerns, contact us at [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].
We will update this page as we learn more.
The basic
Signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease not include sneezing and runny nose.
“It’s a fever. It’s a dry cough. It’s aches and pains,” said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the World Health Organization. “It is very important that we know these differences.”
Worrying information has spread about the similarity of coronavirus to seasonal flu. Both have similar symptoms, and each year, public health officials recommend that everyone take the flu seriously. But the mortality rate for coronavirus is estimated to be about 10 times higher.
State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said there is a vaccine for the common flu. Without a coronavirus vaccine, the number of infected people will be much higher.
Panic is not productive, she said. But people need to take the virus seriously.
Even if you have no symptoms, federal health officials say it still helps our country’s response efforts to stay home and practice social detachment.
Governor Henry McMaster is discouraging meetings of 50 people or more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are asking Americans to avoid groups of up to ten people. The state has not yet implemented a request to stay at home.
Roper St. Francis Health officials are waiting to collect samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 on Monday, March 16, 2020. The unit at the Roper St. Francis Transition Clinic, which is located at 5133 Rivers Avenue and will see only patients with an order test. Brad Nettles / Team
How can I take a test?
The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, commercial laboratories and the Medical University of South Carolina conduct coronavirus tests. Hospitals can collect samples and send them to a laboratory, usually by post.
South Carolina Medical University, Roper St. Francis and Prisma Health – some of the state’s largest healthcare systems – said they were able to collect samples.
For this to work, however, you need a medical certificate from that institution. Go to musc.care to be selected for a possible test at MUSC, rsfh.com/virtualcare for Roper St. Francis and prismahealth.org/virtual-visit for Prisma Health. All of these virtual tours are free with a promotional code.
Remember that undergoing screening does not mean that you are sure to take a test.
MUSC is also allowed to begin testing in Charleston, but the healthcare system needs a few days to get these resources up and running.
Why is it difficult to take a test?
In the days after the first two South Carolina coronavirus cases were reported, the tests were limited to people with symptoms who traveled to a critical point like Italy, hospitalized people and anyone working in the healthcare field.
But soon, hospitals, health departments and private laboratories hope to loosen these restrictions and make testing more widely available to people.
The tests take a few days to return to hospital systems. Laboratories can only do a few tests a day and don’t want to do too many tests that will be negative.
“People without symptoms who were not sick should not be tested,” said Bell.
Because of the backlog in private laboratories, patients can wait more than a week now. Hospitals hope the situation will improve soon.
How sick will I get?
Most of us will be able to stay home and recover. Eighty percent of the cases are not serious. But that does not mean it will be a fun experience: the definition of mild and moderate includes people who will become ill with pneumonia. Those with a serious illness need to be hospitalized.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health assumes that about 12% of people who fall ill in an influenza pandemic will need to be hospitalized.
Only go to the hospital when you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, that are getting worse. Call the hospital first.
Can I spread the virus if I have no symptoms?
People without symptoms can spread the virus, recent studies have shown. In fact, a new model published in Science magazine estimated that 86% of transmissions in China before the country established travel limitations came from people with no symptoms or mild symptoms.
The researchers are still studying the new behavior of the virus.
Public health officials said they are more concerned about the people who Does have symptoms.
“It is people with symptoms that we are concerned about,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “They are the only ones capable of transmitting.”
It can be transmitted in other ways as well, but public health experts want people to focus on the most common form of transmission: coughing and sneezing.
There is no evidence at the moment that the virus can spread via packages sent from China, according to Johns Hopkins University.
How will I pay for testing and treatment?
Good question.
All major insurers have pledged to waive the expenses out of their own pocket for testing. Find detailed information on how private insurers are handling coronavirus testing here.
Keep in mind, however, that some insurers have not waived the costs to consult a supplier and collect a sample. Governor Henry McMaster asked all insurers to cover all costs associated with testing.
Medicare and Medicaid are also covering tests. If you are among the 16% of adults in South Carolina without health insurance, choose a health care provider with a clear financial assistance policy. MUSC said the price of its collection drive-thru will drop to $ 25 if people use its charity program.
The cost of treatment is different. We do not know yet how much a coronavirus hospitalization will cost. This varies depending on your insurance coverage.
How long should I wait before returning to work?
It’s hard to know, said Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University. Most public health experts would say that you can get back to work as soon as you are symptom free.
“When you’re medically better, it’s probably a safe time for you to get back to work,” said Inglesby.
Still, obey doctors’ orders on how long to stay home. Communicate with your doctor before you stop isolating yourself.
Can I pass it on to my pet?
There is no evidence that you can, nor is there evidence that they can pass it on to you.
To help others
If you are in Charleston, join the “Charleston United Covid Response” Facebook group. There, local residents are meeting to identify the need and offer help.
The World Health Organization has also opened a response fund. Donations will go to global response efforts, including protective equipment for healthcare professionals and research for vaccines and treatments. Support the fund here.
