Band Together & Take ACTion
Together, we can stop COVID-19. Let’s roll up our sleeves, mask up, and end this pandemic for good. Here’s how you can help:
What to do if you’re feeling sick
Get tested right away if you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
The most common mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms include (click to open):
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
*This list is not all-inclusive. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care if needed. Separate yourself from others within your household while you’re waiting for your test results.
- Notify others whom you’ve been around in the past 48 hours that you’re feeling COVID-like symptoms. This allows people you may have exposed to take cautionary measures as well, such as getting tested and avoiding others.
What to do if you're experiencing more severe symptoms
COVID-19 emergency warning signs (click to open):
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion
- Inability to stay awake or wake up
- Bluish lips or face
If you experience any of the more severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
What to do if you've been exposed
If you are NOT up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccine (including receiving your booster shot or third dose at the recommended time):
- Stay home for at least 5 full days.
- Test on day 5 (if possible) following your exposure.
- Monitor your symptoms for 10 days. If you feel symptoms, isolate right away and get tested.
- Mask around others – including household members – for 10 days.*
- Avoid travel and people who are at high risk for 10 days.
If you’re up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines (including a recommended third dose and/or booster shot):
- No quarantine is needed unless you feel symptoms.
- Get tested on day 5 (if possible) following your exposure.
- Monitor your symptoms for 10 days. If you feel symptoms, isolate right away and get tested.
- Mask around others – including household members – for 10 days.*
- Avoid travel and people who are at high risk for 10 days.
You’ve had confirmed COVID-19 (you tested positive using a viral COVID test):
- No quarantine is needed unless you feel symptoms.
- Get tested on day 5 (if possible) following your exposure.
- Monitor your symptoms for 10 days. If you feel symptoms, isolate right away and get tested.
- Mask around others – including household members – for 10 days.*
- Avoid travel and people who are at high risk for 10 days.
*In addition, if you are not isolating or quarantining due to exposure or Covid-like symptoms, the state of Michigan has issued a public health advisory recommending universal masking in public indoor settings, regardless of your vaccination status.
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
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Stay Home for 5 days
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Keep a Safe Distance
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Wash Your Hands
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Notify Your Primary Care Physician
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- Stay home. If you have no symptoms, stay home for 5 days. If after 5 days, you still have no symptoms, it’s okay to leave home if you’re wearing a mask. Continue to mask around others for the next five days. If you have symptoms, stay home for a full 10 days or until your fever breaks.
- Keep a safe distance (6 or more feet) from people outside your immediate household. Distance yourself from people living within your own household as much as you can, especially those at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Avoid sharing personal items as well.
- Continue to wash your hands frequently (or use hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol).
- Notify your primary care physician. Follow your doctor’s instructions and be sure to follow up on recommended appointments, screenings, and treatments to ensure you’re at your healthiest. While you’re waiting for your initial visit, here’s what to prepare:
- The date of your positive test
- A list of symptoms you’re feeling
- A list of medications you’re currently on
- Questions you have about getting vaccines or booster shots
- For additional advice, such as disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and more, click here to see the CDC’s most up-to-date guidelines.
Other things to expect if you have mild-to-moderate COVID-19
Fear or anxiety. It’s normal to feel scared or anxious if you have or you’re recovering from COVID-19 – especially if you aren’t feeling well. Uncomfortable feelings ranging from despair or exhaustion to uneasiness or even fear may take over.
Use our free resilience toolkit to help with these feelings – though do avoid any physical activity to help feel calmer unless your doctor has approved.
Questions or concerns. You may have questions about symptoms when your primary care physician is unavailable. Consider Ask-A-Nurse – a free tool that connects you directly to one of our registered nurses.
Our Ask-A-Nurse line is available from 7 am to 11 pm daily at 231-935-0951. This is a completely free service and does not require insurance to use! Please don’t hesitate to call us.
Stay Informed
We will continue providing regular updates on our website about the fight against COVID-19 in northern Michigan. Follow Munson Healthcare on Facebook and sign up to receive our newsletter for the latest news.
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