BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County EMA (UCEMA) offered details about how to properly care for oneself and others if potentially exposed to COVID-19.

The number of confirmed cases in Union County has grown over the past week and will likely continue to spread. So, people should consider the following:

“The first thing is to know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. People who have been ill from this virus have reported that the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and most consist of flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

If someone has any of these symptoms, they must stay home and contact their doctor by phone immediately. They should not show up at the doctor’s office or the emergency room without calling. If someone does not have a doctor, they may contact the health department. The doctor or the health department will provide guidance as to what to do. This may or may not involve testing. People should not call 911 or go to the emergency room unless it is a true emergency.

There are two terms that people must be familiar with if they have been exposed or if they are sick. The terms are Quarantine and Isolation. Most people believe that they are on quarantine right now due to the shelter in place order, however, shelter in place means that you shouldn’t go out unless it is necessary.

Quarantine is used when a person may have been exposed to the virus. A healthcare provider or official may ask a person to quarantine. This means the person must remain at home for a period of fourteen days from the last known exposure or until test results come back. At their home, they must monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 which includes monitoring temperature twice per day. If they develop a fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher or develop signs and symptoms, then they must contact their doctor.

Isolation is another term that many people do not understand. Isolation means that a person has a positive test result, or their symptoms strongly suggest that they are positive. In this event, a person must go home, isolate themselves from everyone, and stay there until the symptoms are gone for several days. Most people can treat themselves at home and recover.”

For more information on COVID-19, symptoms, quarantine, isolation and what to do if exposed or sick, visit www.dph.georgia.gov or call the COVID-19 Hotline: (844) 442-2681.