COVID-19 FAQs

Coronavirus refers to a family of seven viruses that cause illness in animals and sometimes humans. The most common coronaviruses cause mild illness like the common cold. Sometimes coronaviruses that infect animals can evolve and become a new human coronavirus. This is what happened with COVID-19.

COVID-19 is an abbreviation for “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” the official name for the disease that caused the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. A “novel” coronavirus means it is new and has not been previously identified.

COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that had not been previously identified. The virus causing COVID-19 is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and usually cause mild illness.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough 
• Shortness of breath

Most cases are mild, but sometimes may progress to pneumonia or bronchitis. People most at risk for a more serious illness are the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

Yes. Find the latest information about COVID-19 vaccines.

• Close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case
• Age>50 years, the elderly, immune-compromised, or individuals with other chronic health conditions can be at higher risk for more severe illness
• Residing in a congregate setting (e.g., long-term care facility, shelter, group home)
• Being a healthcare worker
• Having a progressive acute respiratory illness with no apparent cause

The best defense against COVID-19 is the same as with other infectious respiratory diseases:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Wear a mask in public places.
• Use proper respiratory hygiene: cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading a virus to others. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use routine disinfection protocols to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Practice proper social distancing.

If you feel ill, seek guidance from your healthcare provider.

If you are experiencing the typical COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), or believe you have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, please stay home and contact either your physician or a local urgent care provider. Phone or digital contact is a preferred first step because it allows care providers to properly advise you and to prepare for your arrival to the care setting, if necessary. Tower Health caregivers are assessing patients through a series of key questions to determine risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Yes. Tower Health Urgent Care can perform assessment and screening of COVID-19 patients. For a complete list of frequently asked questions with up-to-date answers, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health.