Information about the COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Updated on April 2, 2020.
Para información en Español, visita Enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
UT Health RGV is closely monitoring and providing the following information in association with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help keep our patients and families informed about the COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Request a COVID-19 Phone Screening
Complete the form below to request a phone screening from a UT Health RGV scheduling professional to determine if you need to get tested for COVID-19 at one of our testing sites. Individuals must be 18 years or older to be tested at the COVID-19 testing sites.
There is no cost for the COVID-19 phone screening with the UT Health RGV Patient Communication Center (1-833-UTRGV-MD). For more information, visit the Phone Screening and On-site Testing FAQ page.
What is COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus comes from a family of viruses that can cause severe respiratory illness in humans.
COVID-19 (formerly 2019-nCoV) was originally identified in December 2019, in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 has since spread globally, with cases confirmed in over 200 countries, including the United States.
The following are effective practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19:
- Frequent hand-washing
- Coughing into the bend of your elbow
- Physical distancing (staying at least 6ft away from others)
- Staying home, especially if you are sick
What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection?
Patients with confirmed infection from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) reported these symptoms:
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*
- Fever (not always present).
- Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath.
- Cough.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) Symptoms Chart
Call your doctor if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 (coronavirus) or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
COVID-19 Screening Tool
The following COVID-19 Screening Tool was developed by Apple Inc. in partnership with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is not an endorsement of Apple Inc. and/or its products. This free screening tool is a resource for individuals and does not supersede directives from healthcare providers or state and local health official policy.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Screening Tool
Apple COVID-19 on the App Store
What should I do if I believe I may have been infected?
If you are experiencing symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, or cough and feel you may have contracted the COVID-19 (coronavirus), for your safety and the safety of everyone in the clinic, please do not enter the clinic. Instead, call the UT Health RGV clinical site directly and beforehand so our health care personnel can meet you outside and provide you guidance. View all UT Health RGV locations.
What do I do if I’m sick (English)¿Qué hago si estoy enfermo? (español)
How can I prevent getting the COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
Visit the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Prevention and Treatment page to learn about how to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 (coronavirus). For now, the best defense is to follow some of the same steps you would take to prevent getting other viruses, such as the common cold or the flu.
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, and/or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 (coronavirus) is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of liquids and exercise if you are able. These steps will strengthen your immune system and enable you to fight off infections easier.
- The CDC website has additional FAQs on the topics of Travel, Pregnant Women and COVID-19 (coronavirus). and COVID-19 (coronavirus) and animals.
UTRGV School of Medicine working together with DHR to combat the COVID-19 (coronavirus)
As our Rio Grande Valley community is combating the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), on behalf of our School of Medicine, together with DHR we would like to provide you and your family with some words of encouragement during these uncertain times.
COVID-19 (coronavirus): Community Resources
- CDC: Testing for COVID-19 (Online Coronavirus Self-Checker)
- Self Reporting Travel (UTRGV Students, Faculty and Staff Only)
- Video: How to Wash Your Hands (UT Health RGV)
- How to Wash Your Hands – UT Health RGV
- COVID-19 (coronavirus) Symptoms Chart – UT Health RGV
- Video: How to protect yourself against COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- CDC: What you need to know
- CDC: What to do if you are sick (Available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese)
- CDC: Preventing COVID-19 (coronavirus) Spread in Communities
- CDC: What every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- CDC: Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- CDC: Get your mass gatherings or large community events ready for COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- CDC: COVID-19 (coronavirus) Information for Travel
- Texas Health & Human Services: COVID-19 (coronavirus) updates
- World Health Organization: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
- World Health Organization Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
Resources For Health Care Professionals
- Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Get Your Clinic Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Resources for Clinics and Healthcare Facilities
- Creating Space for Well-Being Alongside COVID-19 Outbreak
- Critical Care for the Non-ICU Clinician
- Notification of Enforcement Discretion for telehealth remote communications during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency
- Testing for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Self-Checker)
- Telehealth Coverage Policies in the time of COVID-19
Mental Health Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), TTY: 1-800-799-4889, suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) and press 1
- Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386
- Texas Local Mental Health Authorities
- Doxy.me - Physician Support Line
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Basics
What is a novel coronavirus?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 (coronavirus) diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 (coronavirus) will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.
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Why is the disease being called COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.
There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a new disease caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practice for the naming of new human infectious diseases.
How It Spreads
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What is the source of the virus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, only infect animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses that infect animals have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus). Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are two other examples of coronaviruses that originated from animals and then spread to people. More information about the source and spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is available on the Situation Summary: Source and Spread of the Virus.
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How does the virus spread?
This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so.
The virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus) seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses.
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Can someone who has had COVID-19 (coronavirus) spread the illness to others?
- The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.
- The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.
The virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus) is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 (coronavirus) can spread the illness to others. That is why the CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
How long someone is actively sick can vary so the decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention and control experts, and public health officials and involves considering specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.
Current CDC guidance for when it is OK to release someone from isolation is made on a case by case basis and includes meeting all of the following requirements:
Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.
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Can someone who has been quarantined for COVID-19 (coronavirus) spread the illness to others?
Quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not developed illness (symptoms) from others who have not been exposed, in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease. Quarantine is usually established for the incubation period of the communicable disease, which is the span of time during which people have developed illness after exposure.
For COVID-19 (coronavirus), the period of quarantine is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar coronaviruses. Someone who has been released from COVID-19 (coronavirus) quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others because they have not developed illness during the incubation period.
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Can COVID-19 (coronavirus) be spread through food, including refrigerated or frozen food?
Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 (coronavirus) associated with food. Before preparing or eating food, it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day, wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 (coronavirus) by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures.
Learn what is known about the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
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Will warm weather stop the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months, but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) will decrease when the weather becomes warmer. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and investigations are ongoing.
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What is community spread?
Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
How to Protect Yourself
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Am I at risk for COVD-19 in the United States?
- Community Resources
This is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk assessment may change daily. The latest updates are available on CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website.
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Has anyone in the United States gotten infected?
Yes. There have been cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the U.S. related to travel and person-to-person spread. U.S. case counts are updated regularly on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. See the current U.S. case count of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
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How can I help protect myself?
Visit the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Prevention and Treatment page to learn about how to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 (coronavirus).
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What should I do if I had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
There is information for people who have had close contact with a person confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, COVID-19 (coronavirus) available online.
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Who is at higher risk for serious illness with COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 (coronavirus) first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness including older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
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What should people at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19 (coronavirus) do?
If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (coronavirus), you should: stock up on supplies; take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others; when you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick; limit close contact and wash your hands often; and avoid crowds, cruise travel, and non-essential travel. If there is an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible. Watch for symptoms and emergency signs. Watch for symptoms and emergency signs. If you get sick, stay home and call your doctor. More information on how to prepare, what to do if you get sick, and how communities and caregivers can support those at higher risk is available on People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 (coronavirus).
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Does CDC recommend the use of facemask to prevent COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 (coronavirus). You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 (coronavirus) and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 (coronavirus) in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Symptoms and Testing
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What are the symptoms and complications that COVID-19 (coronavirus) can cause?
Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 (coronavirus) have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever1, cough, and difficulty breathing. Read about COVID-19 (coronavirus) Symptoms.
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Should I be tested for COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
Call your health care professional if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 (coronavirus), or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Your health care professional will work with your state’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19 (coronavirus).
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How do you test a person for COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
State and local health departments who have identified a person under investigation (PUI) should immediately notify CDC’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to report the PUI and determine whether testing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) at CDC is indicated. The EOC will assist local/state health departments to collect, store, and ship specimens appropriately to CDC, including during after hours or on weekends/holidays.
For more information on specimen collection, see CDC Information for Laboratories.
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Can a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
Using the CDC-developed diagnostic test, a negative result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus) was not found in the person’s sample. In the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected.
For COVID-19 (coronavirus), a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms likely means that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) is not causing their current illness.
Health Care Professionals and Health Departments
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What should health care professionals and health departments do?
For recommendations and guidance on persons under investigation; infection control, including personal protective equipment guidance; home care and isolation; and case investigation, see Information for Health Care Professionals. For information on specimen collection and shipment, see Information for Laboratories. For information for public health professional on COVID-19 (coronavirus), see Information for Public Health Professionals.