Feeling sick? What to do if you think you have COVID-19

COVID-19 tests are now available in Hays County and more are on the way.

Constant updates coming from various sources and government officials at all levels makes it difficult and sometimes confusing to understand how to get a COVID-19 test or if it’s even necessary. The Daily Record examined city, county, state, local doctor and CDC recommendations to answer the question of what to do if you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms: fever, shortness of breath, or dry cough.

If you cannot breathe, or if you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Tell the operator you think you may have COVID-19.

Hays County has a select number of tests available right now and they are being distributed to first responders, medical personnel, and people exhibiting symptoms. The only way to get a test right now is to call your doctor and have a virtual screening. If you do not have a doctor, call the Austin Regional Clinic in Kyle at 866-453-4525 to get a virtual screening to determine if you are eligible for drive-through testing.

Call the Hays County COVID-19 hotline to notify the county that you are having symptoms to get your other questions answered: 512-393-5525

Stay home except for seeking medical care. Wear a mask if possible when in public. Stay in contact with your doctor and monitor your symptoms; your doctor may want you to get tested if your symptoms worsen or change, or you may need to go to a hospital. To help you stay home when you are sick, HEB is offering free next day curbside pickup and $5 home delivery for groceries and pharmacy items.

Continue to treat yourself as if you have COVID-19 and isolate yourself until it has been at least 7 days since your symptoms first appeared, 72 hours since your fever broke and 72 hours since your breathing has improved. COVID-19 tests are covered by most insurance carriers and state labs are not charging for tests. The Austin Regional Clinic will send your test to a state lab if you do not have insurance.

Testing may not always be accurate and there are situations where multiple test results alternate back and forth between negative and positive, according to the CDC. Research from China shows the false-negative rate may be close to 30%. Due to inaccuracies and low supplies of tests, doctors, professors and researchers of medicine at Yale suggest anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 assume they have the virus and take necessary precautions whether or not they are able to get a test and whether or not they test positive.

For more information on COVID-19 testing in Hays County, visit https://hayscountytx.com/2020/03/18/covid-19-symptoms-whatare-they-how-can-i-care-for-myself-others-read-this-from-the-cdc/ or call the COVID-19 hotline Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Twitter: @StephJGates