COVID-19 Resource Center

Experts believe it mostly spreads from person-to-person through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby (within about 6 feet) or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, we encourage you to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Wear a cloth face covering (or mask) if you have to go out in public.
• Practice physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from anyone that doesn’t live in your home.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with someone who’s sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects people frequently touch.
• Be aware that you and others around you can have COVID-19 without ever showing symptoms.

As you take steps to protect your physical health, remember to take care of your mental health, too. If you’re feeling down or anxious and need someone to talk to, please call our 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line at 704-444-2400 to speak to a licensed counselor.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest recommendation, almost everyone should wear a cloth face covering, or mask, in public.

If you need to go out in public, wearing a cloth mask can help prevent the spread of the virus. It's especially important in places where it's hard to stay at least 6 feet away from others, like the grocery store or pharmacy.

According to the CDC, cloth masks shouldn’t be placed on children under 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing or might not be able to remove the mask without help.

For more information, including how to make a cloth mask at home, check out this blog post.

So far, the majority of COVID-19 cases have been in adults. Still, it’s a good idea to have your whole family take steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

• Teach and reinforce good hand hygiene. Have your children wash their hands with soap and water regularly.
• Keeping your family home as much as possible. If your child is playing outside, make sure they stay at least 6 feet away from anyone that doesn’t live in your home.
• Wear a cloth face mask if you have to go out in public and have children over 2 years old do the same. Learn how to make a no-sew mask for children here.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects people frequently touch. Launder items like plush toys as needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

For more information about children and coronavirus, including what to do if your child gets sick, read our Q&A with Atrium Health Levine Children’s experts here.

Some people infected with the virus will have no symptoms. When COVID-19 does cause symptoms, they’re often similar to what you might experience with a cold or the flu.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Loss of smell and/or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache

For most people who are otherwise healthy, the symptoms are mild and don’t cause serious health problems. But sometimes, COVID-19 causes more severe symptoms.

In adults, emergency warning signs of COVID-19 include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to wake up
• Bluish lips or face

This list is not all-inclusive. If your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 immediately.

If you start to feel sick, try not to panic. COVID-19 does not cause serious health problems for most people who are otherwise healthy.

If you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of smell and/or taste, stay home, isolate yourself from others and take a free online risk assessment to find out next steps for care.

Find out more about how to get care if you need it.

Currently, there’s no specific treatment for COVID-19. Fortunately, the symptoms are often mild and can be managed at home with over-the-counter medication. The CDC recommends drinking a lot of fluids to stay hydrated and resting at home. Most people will start to feel better within a week.

If needed, supportive care is available. Find out more about care for COVID-19 here.

Yes. We started testing for COVID-19 in our labs as soon as we received approval from the CDC.

Atrium Health is one of the only healthcare systems in the nation to have an in-house lab that can process COVID-19 tests within hours, typically the same day. Our testing sites, which are throughout the greater Charlotte area, are designed to provide a secure, private environment for patients to be tested. To increase access to testing in underserved communities, we’ve also introduced mobile testing sites.

We know this has been confusing, but not everyone needs to be tested right now – especially if your symptoms are mild or you’re feeling well overall. Currently, testing is done based on guidelines set by the CDC, and only a healthcare provider can determine if you meet the criteria for testing.

If you believe you may have COVID-19, complete a free COVID-19 Risk Assessment to review your symptoms, find the best care and learn if testing is appropriate.

At Atrium Health, we have a highly skilled team of infectious disease specialists, and we’re working closely with local, state and national health officials to monitor the virus and plan for the impact on our communities.

We’re taking action to prevent the spread of the virus, enhance access to care, and protect the health of and safety every patient, teammate and community member. For the latest updates on our response, visit Daily Dose and check out the steps our locations are taking to keep you COVID-Safe.

Your safety is always our first priority. In addition to the protocols we have in place year-round, we’re setting the national standard for COVID-Safe care. We’re taking enhanced steps, so you can feel confident and comfortable each time you visit any Atrium Health location. Learn the steps we’re taking to keep you COVID-Safe.

In addition to safe care at our locations, we have on-demand care options if you need care quickly or don’t want to leave home.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please do not hesitate to seek in-person, emergency care immediately or call 911. Delaying care in a medical emergency could lead to more serious complications.

Before your next visit, be aware of our:

• Visitor policy: As a temporary precaution, no visitors will be allowed at any Atrium Health facility. There are exceptions for certain patients. Get the full details here.
• Hours of operation: Some of our locations have temporary changes to hours. See the current list of location hour changes here.

As a temporary precaution, no visitors will be allowed at any Atrium Health facilities. There are exceptions for certain patients, including:

• Pregnant patients in labor who are preparing for delivery
• Patients at the end of life/imminent death
• Patients requiring a healthcare decision-maker to help in communication or mobility
• Patients under 18 years of age
• Patients who are having surgery or a procedure that requires sedation

Other exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Get the full details about our temporary visitor restrictions here.

If you had an appointment that was canceled or postponed as a result of COVID-19, your doctor’s office will be reaching out to reschedule.

To schedule a new appointment, call your doctor’s office or 704-468-8888. For all upcoming appointments, we’ll work with you to decide if it’s best to come in and see us, or if you can have a phone or video visit instead.

If you need care right away for a minor condition, check out our on-demand care options.

Coping with COVID-19 has been challenging for everyone. And everyone reacts to stressful situations differently.

As you take steps to protect your physical health, remember to take care of your mental health, too.

If you’re feeling down or anxious and need someone to talk to, please call our 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line at 704-444-2400 to speak to a licensed counselor.

Please don’t avoid seeking necessary medical care out of concern about COVID-19. Call your doctor’s office to schedule an appointment; if you don’t have a doctor, call 704-468-8888, and we’ll help you find one. We’ll work with you to decide if it’s best to come in and see us, or if you can have a phone or video visit instead.

For most minor conditions and symptoms, you can also get the care you need using one of our on-demand care options.

If your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately.

Just by staying home, you’re doing your part to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. If you’re looking for other ways to help, there are things everyone can do right now.

From sewing masks, to giving blood or donating food, explore ways you can help at AtriumHealth.org/Together.

Awareness and education are essential to preventing the spread of this virus. For reliable information about COVID-19, we recommend the following resources.

Local resources:

• For information about how to find care and frequently asked questions, visit AtriumHealth.org/Coronavirus. View the site in Spanish at AtriumHealth.org/Corona-ES.
• For regular updates from Atrium Health experts and breaking news, visit our COVID-19 hub.
• If you have questions about COVID-19, call our 24/7 Health Line at 704-468-8888.
• Want more info? Text COVID to 31493 and get coronavirus updates – like advice from doctors and prevention tips – sent right to your phone.

National and state resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• SC Department of Health and Environmental Contro