Am I Safe From Getting COVID-19?

Since the numbers of COVID-19 cases have leveled off slightly and Tennessee’s stay-at-home order has been lifted, it would be natural to assume that the risk of COVID-19 is over.

But that’s simply not true. As of June 1, more than 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19, including more than 24,000 Tennesseans. The risk is very real.

That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care TN wants to shed some light on the virus and how to protect yourself.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

COVID-19, a type of the coronavirus, passes through airborne particles. What does that mean? Well, it means that it moves from one person to another when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even breathes.

This releases those tiny particles into the air, where they can make their way into another person’s body through the mouth, nose and eyes. Spread of the virus can happen even if the infected person doesn’t have any symptoms.

COVID-19 Symptoms

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose

What Can I Do to Protect Myself From COVID-19?

While our stay-at-home order is no longer in place, your best method of protecting yourself and your family is to stay at home as much as possible. But if you are spending more time outside the home, you’ll want to take other precautions recommended by the CDC.

They recommend a few key steps—wear a cloth face covering when out in public if age 2 or older, stay six feet away from others outside the home, wash your hands with soap and water regularly, disinfect commonly touched surfaces often, and don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.

Basics of Handwashing

  • Wet your hands with running water.
  • Lather your hands with soap, including between your fingers and under nails.
  • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • Rinse your hands under running water.
  • Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, we are offering COVID-19 testing at our urgent care center. Visit the AFC Urgent Care TN website to learn more or to schedule a testing appointment.