I THINK I HAVE CORONAVIRUS, NOW WHAT?
By Hackensack Meridian Health
If you think you’ve been exposed to the new
coronavirus COVID-19 or are developing symptoms
associated with COVID-19, follow these steps to
help protect yourself and others from getting sick.
Call your doctor if:
• You’ve been in close contact with someone
who has COVID-19
• You exhibit known symptoms of COVID-19
• Fever, cough, difculty breathing (Symptoms
may appear 2-14 days after exposure)
• You’ve recently traveled to an area that has
widespread cases of COVID-19
It is important to call ahead before going to a doctor’s ofce to reduce
unnecessary exposure to germs for yourself and others. Telemedicine could be
a helpful option to reduce exposure. Try it at ConvenientCareNow.com.
If your health care provider suspects you have a mild case of
COVID-19, isolate at home. Here’s how:
• Restrict activities outside of your house, except for getting medical
care as instructed by a health care professional. Don’t go to work, school
or public places.
• Avoid public transportation, such as buses, taxis or other ridesharing
options.
• Separate yourself from others at home. If possible, stay in a separate
room and use a separate bathroom.
• Don’t handle pets or other animals while sick.
• Wear a facemask if you must be near other people (such as in a car or
sharing a room).
• Always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the used tissue
out in a lined trash can immediately and wash hands with soap and water.
• Wash hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid sharing household items, such as dishes, cups and towels.
Wash commonly used items often and thoroughly.
• Clean “high-touch” surfaces every day, such as
counters, doorknobs, phones, keyboards and
toilets with a household cleaning spray or wipe.
The decision to discontinue home isolation should
be made in consultation with your health care provider
and state and local health departments.
Monitor your symptoms
Take your temperature and check for symptoms
daily. If your illness worsens, contact your doctor
or HackensackMeridianHealth.org/CareNow. We
can’t stress enough how important it is to call before
seeking care so the facility can properly prepare for
potential exposure to COVID-19. You should continue to self-monitor for 14
days after exposure to the virus.
Help protect others in your household from getting COVID-19
When someone is on home isolation, it’s normal for others in the
household to feel heightened anxiety around contracting COVID-19. Follow
these steps, in addition to those previously mentioned, to reduce the risk of
spreading germs:
• While using a separate bathroom, if available, also use a separate
bedroom.
• Restrict visitors who don’t have an essential reason for being
in the home.
• Take the lead on caring for any pets.
• Make sure there’s good air ow in the home. Use the air conditioner
or open windows if weather permits.
• Wear a disposable facemask and gloves if you have to come in
contact with the patient, especially their blood, stool, saliva, mucus,
vomit or urine. Throw away after using.
Learn more about COVID-19 here:
HackensackMeridianHealth.org/COVID19
VIDEO VISIT TO
REDUCE COVID-19 EXPOSURE.
Now $20 for New Jersey residents with code HMH20.
FREE for Adults 65 and older with code HMHFREE.
If you suspect you’ve been exposed to coronavirus, or are experiencing only mild flu-like
symptoms, the CDC recommends screening through telehealth video visits. You can have
a video visit with a board-certified physician who can advise on whether COVID-19 testing
at an urgent care or other facility is necessary. Visit ConvenientCareNOW.com.
Due to heavy volume, wait times are longer than usual.
KEEP GETTING BETTER
$20 virtual visit costs will be reimbursed for any patient who is screened by Convenient Care NOW and then tests positive at an Hackensack Meridian care facility.
/ConvenientCareNow.com
/CareNow
/COVID19
/ConvenientCareNOW.com