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Resources for Coronavirus and COVID-19 in the Northern Virginia Region

The Fredericksburg Emergency Medical Alliance (FEMA) is working with state and local public health officials, as well as the Mary Washington Health System to coordinate a regional response to the coronavirus.

Information for Patients 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What you need to know about COVID-19 >

Symptoms of COVID-19

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

 

Read more:  COVID-19 Symptoms >

 

What to do if you think you've been exposed:

If you or a family member has flu-like symptoms (fever, cough), or believe you may have been exposed to coronavirus, you should:

1. Contact your county health department. 

Health Department Directory >

2. Stay home and call your primary care provider. Calling ahead helps to determine the most appropriate care. Find a primary care doctor >

If you have an emergency, such as shortness of breath or inability to breathe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is COVID-19?
    The CDC explains, “COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.” The virus itself is called SARS-CoV-2, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
  • How does COVID-19 spread?
    Not all coronaviruses spread easily, but this one appears to be highly contagious. According to the CDC: Scientists believe this coronavirus spreads mostly person to person through respiratory droplets. These are the droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze. Droplets from an infected person can enter the mouth or nose of another person. It’s also possible that someone could inhale droplets into their lungs. It may be possible for people to contract COVID-19 by touching an object or surface that has the virus on it, and then touching their mouth, nose or possibly eyes. It appears to be most contagious when someone is sick. It’s possible that someone could spread the illness before they show symptoms, but this doesn’t appear to be a main way for it to spread.
  • How can I protect myself and my family?
    Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or elbow, then throw the tissue in the trash. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your face Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
  • If exposed to a person with Coronavirus when will I show symptoms?
    According to the CDC, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. The CDC bases this on what’s been seen with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV. This virus was first reported in humans in 2012. According to the World Health Organization (see “How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?”), people are showing symptoms of the coronavirus 1-14 days after exposure, with five days being the most common. The WHO notes that estimates will be updated as more data becomes available.
  • What do I do if I think I have COVID-19?
    Wear a mask Wash your hands Stay 6 feet away from others Avoid any immunocompromised, elderly or chronically ill patients Avoid any close contact, including work, with others until you are 24 hours fever free without the use of fever lowering drugs (such as Tylenol and ibuprofen). This could take up to 14 days.
  • Additional COVID-19 Resources
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The World Health Organization Virginia Health Department Mary Washington Hospital information Stafford County Health Department

MWHC COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS

Information for Physicians 

  • If your patient has an inability to breathe or poor oxygenation please call 911 and send him/her to the nearest emergency department. 

  • Please call ahead and inform the emergency department of any incoming potential COVID-19.

​Mary Washington Hospital Emergency Room:

540-741-1100

Stafford Hospital Emergency Room:

540-741-9000

  • Please be sure to alert EMS of a possible COVID-19 patient, so that they may put on appropriate personal protective equipment.

  • For patients without severe symptoms, please consider home quarantine with strict return precautions for any difficulty breathing.

 

LINK: CDC FAQ for Healthcare Professionals >

For more information, please consider the following resource links:

Print Resources and Infographics:

Physicians
Patients
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