Testing is a critical tool to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are awaiting test results, even if you do not feel sick, it is crucial you immediately isolate from others and go right home after testing. Even with no symptoms or mild symptoms, you may still be highly contagious. The Delta variant has shown to spread more rapidly, thus causing more infections. This means one short trip to the grocery store before receiving test results has the potential to infect more than five individuals if a positive test result is later received.
It may be difficult to identify symptoms of COVID as many of the common symptoms associated with the Delta variant may resemble a common cold or allergies:
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Cough
However, many individuals may also experience other symptoms as listed below. If you are experiencing any symptoms or a combination of symptoms it is still important to stay away from others and seek testing to rule out COVID. Other commonly experienced symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Change to sense of taste or smell
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Isolating and staying away from other people means that you should not go to any stores to shop, run errands, or visit other people. If you need assistance with obtaining groceries, medications, or other supplies while you isolate, please ask a friend or neighbor who might be willing to help you and who is not a close contact to you or anyone else. If you do not have someone who can help, you may call Northeast Tri County Health District at 509-684-2262 to seek assistance.
