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Feeling Sick
If you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate any life threatening event such as a heart attack, stroke, traumatic fall or injury, or abnormal mental status, call 911 or go to your local ED. During this pandemic, hospitals remain ready and able to treat these life-threatening emergencies.
Emergency Symptoms of Covid-19 - Call Immediately for Medical Help (911):
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
- Inform 911 of suspected COVID-19 symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19:
Symptoms may appear 2 to 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 does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
- What should I do if I feel sick?
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- Stay home if it is not a life-threatening emergency
- Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis
- Call your primary care physician (or local hospital or urgent care if you do not have a primary care physician)
- Your doctor will advise you of how to manage symptoms and will decide if it is appropriate for you to get tested
- You can check your symptoms for COVID-19 with the MA DPH BUOY Symptoms Self-Checker
- Stay home if it is not a life-threatening emergency
- What should I do if I think I have been exposed to COVID-19?
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- If you believe you have been exposed at work, contact your work place for additional guidance
- If you believe you have been exposed in the community, you may contact 508-910-1844 and speak to one of our public health nurses about your personal risks and next steps
- What happens if I test positive or am a close contact of someone who tests positive?
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- If a person tests positive, their doctor will upload his/her information to a secured state database which then alerts Dartmouth's Board of Health of a positive case
- Dartmouth public health nurses will then follow up with that person to monitor symptoms and track self-isolation implementation
- Dartmouth public health nurses will begin close contact tracing of the positive case which includes those living with the person and anyone who has been in contact with the person for a period of 10 to 15 minutes or longer and within a 6 foot distance - both criteria must be met. Those who meet this criteria will then be asked to self-quarantine
- Due to HIPPA law, names, locations, and other personal information cannot be shared with the public about any confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19
- The Dartmouth Board of Health is continuously monitoring the situation in Dartmouth, Bristol County, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will continue to inform the public with any new and pertinent information
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