COVID-19 Resource Center

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause colds and other respiratory illnesses. The current coronavirus outbreak is known as COVID-19, short for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It was first identified in China in December 2019 and has since spread to countries around the world, including the United States.

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 who 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 (CDC), almost everyone should wear a cloth face covering, or mask, in public. Some cities and states, including the state of North Carolina and parts of South Carolina, currently require people to wear a cloth face covering in public places.

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, 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.

Find out where you can get a free mask and learn more about the different types of masks. For more information, including how to make a cloth mask at home, check out this blog post.

In North Carolina, everyone is now required to wear a face covering, or mask, in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. To make it easier for our communities stay safe and healthy, we’re joining local business leaders to donate 2 million masks, with a special focus on areas that need extra help.

Find out where you can get a free mask.

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 or chills
• Cough
• Loss of smell and/or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

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
• Inability to wake up or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

This list is not all-inclusive. If your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 or seek emergency care 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 symptoms like a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of smell and/or taste, stay home, isolate yourself from others and do one of the following:

• Have a video visit. Start a virtual video visit now
• Make an appointment with your primary care provider. Call their office or schedule online. If you don’t have a doctor, find one online or call 704-468-8888, and we’ll help you find one.
• Go to Urgent Care. Walk in or reserve your spot at a location near you.
• Visit a mobile testing site. See where we are this week and just walk up.

Learn more about diagnostic testing, like what types are tests are available and what to expect throughout the process.

The more people you’re around, the greater your chance of exposure to COVID-19. If you were recently in a large crowd, you can get tested for COVID-19. Testing is typically recommended within 14 days of possible exposure to the virus. A healthcare provider can tell you if testing is right for you.

If you think you were exposed to COVID-19 – but don’t have symptoms – you can:

• Call your primary care provider to schedule. They’ll schedule your test and point you in the right direction. If you don’t have a doctor, find one online or call 704-468-8888, and we’ll help you find one.
• Go to Urgent Care. Walk in or reserve your spot at a location near you.

If you start experiencing symptoms and need care, you can:

• Have a video visit. Start a Video Visit now.
• Make an appointment with your primary care provider. Call their office or schedule online. If you don’t have a doctor, find one online or call 704-468-8888, and we’ll help you find one.
• Go to Urgent Care. Walk in or reserve your spot at a location near you.
• Visit a mobile testing site. See where we are this week and just walk up.

We also have helpful information about diagnostic testing, like what types are tests are available and what to expect throughout the process.

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 and safety of every patient, teammate and community member. For the latest updates on our response, visit our COVID-19 hub 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, please be aware of our current visitor policy.

We have temporary visitor restrictions in place to protect our patients, teammates and visitors. Get the full details about our current visitor policy here.

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 needed medical care out of concern about COVID-19. Log in to MyAtriumHealth or call your doctor’s office to schedule an appointment. If you don’t have a doctor, find one online or 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 wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing, 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 donating supplies and food to giving blood and plasma, explore ways you can help.

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:

• Get COVID-19 information in Spanish.
• 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.

National and state resources:

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