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COVID-19

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1. South Dakota Department of Health FAQ Guide

The South Dakota Department of Health Updates their FAQ on a regular basis as more information about the COVID-19 Virus becomes available.

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2. What is COVID-19?

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus strain spreading from person-to-person that has not been previously identified. It is currently in the United States and most other countries in the world. Health experts are concerned because this new virus spreads easily and has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people — especially people over age 60 or who have weakened immune systems.

3. How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet, or 2 arm lengths). It spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. These particles can be inhaled into the nose, mouth, airways, and lungs and cause infection. This is thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Health experts are still learning more about the spread and severity of illness COVID-19 causes. LEARN MORE >

4. What are the symptoms?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: 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, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. This list is not all possible symptoms. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. LEARN MORE >

5. When do I seek medical evaluation and advice?

If you have COVID-19-like symptoms or think you have been exposed, contact your health care provider.

• Avera Clinic: 605-697-9500
• Sanford Clinic: 605-697-1900

Do not go to the emergency room, unless it is a medical emergency. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have difficulty breathing, it doesn’t mean you have novel coronavirus, but you should call 911.

If you’re over 60 and you have underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease, come up with a plan with your doctor to identify your health risks for COVID-19 and how to manage symptoms. Contact your doctor right away if you do have symptoms.

6. How can I protect myself from COVID-19?

It’s important that everyone take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The following can protect you and others:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Put distance between yourself and other people.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask / face covering.
• Cover your cough and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wash your hands often (for at least 20 seconds) and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Limit non-essential trips out of the house and minimize contact with others who don’t live with you.
• Stay away from others who are sick. Stay home if you are sick or showing symptoms.
• Avoid group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.

7. How is COVID-19 treated?

There are no medications specifically approved for COVID-19. Most people with mild COVID-19 illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications. However, some cases may require medical care or hospitalization.

8. Why is the mask / face covering mandate in place?

The CDC recommends that in communities like Brookings, where there is significant community-based transmission, all individuals cover their noses and mouths with a mask / face covering to prevent spreading COVID-19. We know people with COVID-19 may not show symptoms and can still spread the virus to others. Research indicates wearing a mask / face covering can significantly reduce the spread. We have made progress slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community, but most people do not have immunity to the disease and remain susceptible. As a community, a surge of new cases could make many more people ill and overwhelm our health care system’s ability to treat those with serious complications of the disease and non-COVID related emergencies.

9. Am I required to wear a mask / face covering?

All individuals are required to wear a mask in any indoor business and/or indoor public space if six (6) feet or more of social distancing isn’t possible. Exceptions are listed here.

10. Who should get tested for COVID-19?

Anyone who is experiencing even mild COVID-like symptoms should isolate themselves away from others and call their health care provider.

• Avera Clinic: 605-697-9500
• Sanford Clinic: 605-697-1900

Getting tested as soon as possible is important to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Anyone with these symptoms should call their provider to be evaluated for a test:

• Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea

It is important to isolate yourself as soon as you develop symptoms, even before you are tested, because if you have COVID-19, you are already contagious.

11. How do I get a test for COVID-19?

Most testing is completed through your health care provider. You should call your healthcare provider if you feel sick, live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Each health care system has its own testing processes. Many providers require appointments to prevent overcrowding and to be sure that they have supplies.

12. Should I get tested for COVID-19?

Maybe; not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your health care provider first. Most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested.

• Avera Clinic: 605-697-9500
• Sanford Clinic: 605-697-1900

13. What is a quarantine and why is it used?

Quarantine is put into place to prevent the possible spread of an infectious disease from someone who may have been exposed to the disease but is not yet sick. When people are quarantined, they are kept separate from others until they are out of the period when they could get sick. During that time, health officials track their health so that if they do develop symptoms, they can get them to a health care provider quickly for evaluation, testing if needed, and care.

14. Is quarantine different from isolation?

Yes. Quarantine is for people who are not currently showing symptoms but are at increased risk for having been exposed to an infectious disease. Quarantine is for people who could become sick and spread the infection to others. Isolation is used for people who are currently ill and able to spread the disease and who need to stay away from others in order to avoid infecting them.

15. How does self-quarantine work?

When people are in self-quarantine, they have no symptoms, but because there is a possibility that they might have been exposed, they stay away from others in public settings. For 14 days from their last possible exposure, people in self-quarantine cannot go to work, school, or any public places where they could have close contact with others. Public health departments direct them in how to monitor their health so that should they develop symptoms, they can be quickly and safely isolated from all others, including those in their household.

16. Can people in self-quarantine still have contact with their household members?

You should keep apart from others, even in your household, as much as possible. Stay away from others, even if you are not showing symptoms, because the virus can spread before symptoms appear.

17. What should I do if I get sick or someone in my household gets sick?

Most people who get COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. CDC has directions for people who are recovering at home and their caregivers, including:

Stay home except to get medical care.

• Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares. Do not go to crowded places or participate in public activities.
• Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines to help you feel better.
• Monitor your symptoms.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you leave your home to get medical care.
• Follow care instructions from your health care provider. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.

Separate yourself from other people.

• Avoid contact with others in your home. Household members should stay in another room or be separated from you as much as possible. Household members should use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if available. If you must be around another person, wear a mask or face covering.
• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home. Wash these items thoroughly after you use them.
• Do not allow visitors.
• Avoid contact with pets and other animals. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets, and wear a mask or face covering.
• Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone. 

Practice proper hygiene.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw away used tissues in a lined trash can.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

Clean and disinfect often.

• Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with a household spray or wipes including phones, counters, remote controls, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, and light switches.
• Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
• Clean and disinfect your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and disposable gloves prior to cleaning. They should wait as long as possible after the person who is sick has used the bathroom before coming in to clean and use the bathroom.

18. When should I seek emergency medical attention?

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

19. What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

• Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

20. How can I prepare for an outbreak?

Create a household plan of action to help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. Use our checklist to make your Household Game Plan.

21. How can I prepare for COVID-19 at work?

Plan for potential changes at your workplace. Talk to your employer about their emergency operations plan, including sick-leave policies and telework options. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.

22. How can I support local businesses during this time?

• Follow the social media channels for small businesses in your community. 
• Comment and share posts from small businesses.
• Shop small. Shop local online or over the telephone.
• Leave 5-Star reviews for businesses that you LOVE. 
• Order take-out from local restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, etc.  If possible, tip generously! 
• Promote your positive experiences on social media. 
• Buy gift cards NOW and use them later. 
• Maintain subscriptions to health clubs, yoga studios, coffee clubs, etc.
• If you know a small business owner, ask how you can help them!

23. What mental health resources are available to help cope with COVID-19?

Pandemics are stressful. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and our community stronger. LEARN MORE >