What should I do if I think I could have Covid-19?

The pandemic took most of us by surprise, disrupting our lives in the most unimaginable ways possible. 

And while it may be tempting to think that now the worst, as witnessed during the strict lockdown months of March and April, is far behind us, Covid-19 diagnoses are on the rise, as is the risk of future outbreaks. Now is not the time to let our guards down as many of us will be heading back to school or to our places of employment. 

But what does Covid-19 look like, exactly?

Covid-19 symptoms can vary wildly, with many people displaying none at all or very mild ones that can be mistaken for something else. 

Mild symptoms can include: 

• Fever

• Cough

• Nasal congestion

• Aches and pains

• Loss of taste or smell

• Nausea 

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea 

More serious symptoms can include:

• Sudden difficulty breathing

• Prolonged fever that will not break 

And what should I do if I have any of these symptoms?

Feeling under the weather during a pandemic can be scary, but it is important to act quickly. 

1. Call your primary care center, known as a CAP, or 061 and not 112 unless you are experiencing a medical emergency

2. A doctor will assess your symptoms and schedule a PCR test if deemed necessary, in which case you will be asked to remain in isolation as a precautionary measure

3. A contact tracer should get in touch with information on the next steps to follow:

   a) If your test turns out to be negative, you will be able to end your precautionary quarantine

   b) If you test positive, you will receive a text message or a phone call detailing the next steps to take. You can also look your results up online at La Meva Salut

4. A contact tracer will help you identify the people you have been in close contact with, that is to say, everyone you have not been able to maintain a 2-meter safety distance with for over 15 minutes during the 48 hours before you first developed symptoms.  

5. You will be asked to stay home until doctors indicate it is safe for you to do otherwise, and only if you are experiencing more severe symptoms will you be hospitalized. If you live with other people, avoid contact with them, wash your hands and surfaces frequently, and use a separate bathroom if possible.

6. You will be asked to use the STOP COVID19 CAT app to record your symptoms twice a day.