The risk-based guidelines set out four distinct stages of risk, from the lowest threat, Green/Minimal Community Spread, through the most serious, Red/Uncontrolled Community Spread, along with recommended behaviors for each stage.*

Vulnerable individuals should follow the recommendations for the next-highest phase, i.e.,if the County is in YELLOW Phase, a vulnerable individual should follow the recommendations for ORANGE Phase, such as avoiding gatherings of five or more people.)

 [Community Phased Gating Stages]  [Schools Phased Reopening Guide]

* guidelines are based on the Opening America approach and the CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Planfor Opening America Up Again

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.

The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Learn more...

• Fever of 100.4 or higher
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

A: 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.

Q: What if I'm Sick or Caring for Someone Who is Sick?

A: If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, you should take steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. Learn more from CDC...

A: The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 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. This decision 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:

• 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.

Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.

• Use a cloth face cover
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Using telemedicine if possible.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to
• the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• When you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with
• at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
• Practice social distancing - keeping a space of 6 feet between you and others; and avoiding any
• type of mass gatherings.
• Get a flu shot. (Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it is flu season.)

Call 512-943-3600

WCCHD is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and regional public health and healthcare agencies.

www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus