Coronavirus In Fairfax County: What To Do If You Have Symptoms

McLEAN, VA – Not everyone needs to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. A vast majority of people will exhibit mild symptoms — such as fever, fatigue, and dry cough — and can recover at home.

If you're worried that you have COVID-19, here are recommendations from experts on what to do:

1. Stay Home And Contact A Health Care Provider

Got symptoms? Stay home.

If you are concerned you may have COVID-19, call your primary care physician to ask whether you should come for an exam or test before visiting in person, the Fairfax County Health Department says.

If you develop symptoms that require emergency care, call 9-1-1 and follow the emergency team instructions for care before they arrive. These symptoms may include (Note: Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.):

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

If you do not have an insurer nor primary care physician, and you are concerned that you have symptoms of COVID-19 that need to be addressed, you can contact Herndon Health Works (703-443-2000).

2. Follow The Health Care Provider's Guidance

Listen to what your health care provider tells you. According to the Alexandria Health Department, most people who get COVID-19 recover on their own at home and do not need testing or treatment. Anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness should isolate themselves; avoid contact with other people; wash their hands frequently; and disinfect surfaces regularly.

It is important to note that the Fairfax County Health Department does not provide COVID-19 diagnosis or testing.

Continue to monitor your symptoms and keep in touch with your doctor.

3. Get Tested If Needed

Testing information can be found by calling your primary care physician. But test kits may be in short supply. That means you may not get tested immediately. But keep calm and continue to wash your hands, sanitize frequently touched surfaces, and stay away from others.

Several challenges have limited testing for Fairfax County residents:

1. With shortages of personal protective equipment across the nation, health care providers who lack recommended protective equipment may not test because of the risk to their health and ability to continue providing care in the community.
2. The materials needed for specimen collection before being sent to the lab are in limited supply nationwide.

For more information: What do I need to know if I am tested for COVID-19?

4. Sign Up For Health Insurance

As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, some people are eligible to enroll for health insurance outside of the typical enrollment periods.

Special enrollment periods (SEP) are available for people who may have recently lost their employer-sponsored health insurance coverage or certain other qualifying life events. You can apply for the SEP within 60 days before you know your coverage will end and within 60 days from the date you lost coverage. To learn more, visit Health.Care.gov.

Click here to learn more.

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