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.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in many 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.

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, 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.

If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

 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, or sneezing.

It’s especially important to wash:

- Before eating or preparing food

- Before touching your face

- After using the restroom

- After leaving a public place

- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

- After handling your cloth face covering

- After changing a diaper

- After caring for someone sick

- After touching animals or pets

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.

Wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people not living in your household and particularly where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations. Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. That’s why it’s important for everyone to practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people) and wear cloth face coverings in public settings. Cloth face coverings provide an extra layer to help prevent the respiratory droplets from traveling in the air and onto other people.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.  Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

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 when you are sick, except to get medical care.

- Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).

- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

- Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.

- Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.

However, some people may need emergency medical attention. Watch for symptoms and learn when to seek emergency medical attention.

When to 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

- 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.

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.

Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if you have symptoms.

COVID – 19 Serum Antibody and Rapid testing 

Recovery Mobile Clinic has begun a molecular diagnostic test for the determination of  Covid – 19 Virus Detection. The tests be sent for results via Biotech Laboratories for completion. This test, TaqPath COVID-19 Combo, became available from Thermo Fisher Scientific. We also have started performing a qualitative test for the detection of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in serum on the Abbott Labs Platform. Both were released from the FDA under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). 

Covid – 19 Rapid Test                                         

TEST CODE: 13995                                           CPT: 87635

The test is based on real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate, and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider.  

Results will be reported as POSITIVE or NEGATIVE Results will be reported within 15-20 minutes. 

Positive results are indicative of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA; clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine patient infection status. Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may NPT be the definite cause of the disease.  

NOT DETECTED results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole bases for patient management decisions. Non detected results must be combined with clinical observations, patient history and epidemiological information. 

Inconclusive results will be reported along with the comment to submit another specimen for testing. 

Covid – 19 Antibody Testing 

TEST NAME:  SARS-COV-2 IGG                                   

TEST CODE: 6032                         CPT: 86769

The SARS – coV-2 IgG Assay is a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CIMA) used for the qualitative detection of IGG antibodies to SARS – CoV-2 in serum on the ARCHITECT I system. 

Results will be reported as POSITIVE or NEGATIVE 

Results will be available within 72 hours. 

NEGATIVE results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 Infection, particularly in those who have been in contact with the virus. Follow-up testing with a molecular diagnostic should be considered to rule out infection.

POSITIVE results may be due to past or present infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, such as Coronavirus HKUI, NL63, OC43, or 229E.

Results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole bases to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to confirm infection status. 

This test was authorized by the FDA under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to be performed by laboratories that are CLIA certified to perform high complexity testing.