COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Get answers to your important COVID-19 questions, as well as critical updates from the experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health.
General update on the status of COVID-19 in Florida
Where can I go for COVID-19 testing?
For a list of state-supported testing sites, please click here: https://floridadisaster.org/covid19/testing-sites/
Where have COVID-19 cases been reported in Florida?
Florida’s Department of Health keeps tracks where COVID-19 cases have been identified across the state’s 67 counties.
http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/
How many people have died from COVID-19 in Florida?
Florida’s Department of Health tracks how many COVID-19 deaths have occurred across the state’s 67 counties.
http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/
How many cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Florida?
Florida’s Department of Health keeps track of any COVID-19 cases that have been identified across the state’s 67 counties.
http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/
General update on the status of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Where have COVID-19 cases been reported in the United States?
The CDC tracks where cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the United States. Every weekday, that information is updated.
How many people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.?
The CDC tracks how many people with COVID-19 have been died in the United States. Every weekday, that information is updated.
How many cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S.?
The CDC tracks how many cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the United States. Every weekday, that information is updated.
How Can I Avoid Getting COVID-19?
How does COVID-19 spread?
According to the CDC…..
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
What should I do if I have a serious condition like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease?
As someone who falls into the higher-risk group for developing a serious illness from COVID-19, the CDC recommends….
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
How can I avoid getting COVID-19?
Because there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19, the best way to prevent illness is by avoiding exposure to the virus. The CDC says you can protect yourself and others by…..
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
According to the CDC…..
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
What Should I Do if I Become Sick?
What can I do if I think I (or a loved one) have COVID-19?
If you have COVID-19 or think you are infected with the virus, follow these steps from the CDC to prevent spreading the disease……
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf
Who is at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?
According to the CDC…..
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
Do I need to monitor my symptoms?
Yes, follow these steps from the CDC….
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
Other Areas of Concern
I am a cancer patient. Am I at a higher risk?
It is too early to know how the COVID-19 virus will impact cancer patients, if infected. Early data suggests there could indeed be an increased health recovery risk for cancer patients depending on their age, other concurrent illnesses, and possibly due to compromised immunity.
According to the CDC… https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
How will COVID-19 affect me if I’m pregnant?
According to the CDC……
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/pregnancy-faq.html
I am receiving cancer treatment. What do I need to know?
First and foremost, we want you to know that Orlando Health is prepared to care for COVID-19 cases and to protect the safety of our patients, visitors, team members and the communities we serve. Our experts in infectious diseases and emergency management are well informed about COVID-19 and are prepared to respond quickly and appropriately. We also stay in contact with public health agencies at the national, state and local levels as well as with our medical partners to ensure proper protocols are in place for patient and staff safety.
Orlando Health is currently doing several activities that aid us in keeping our patients and communities safe from COVID-19. These include:
- Experts from across the healthcare system have convened since January 2020 as part of our ongoing efforts to prepare, prevent and treat emerging infectious disease threats.
- Since March 13, 2020, all Orlando Health hospitals have been limiting the number of visitors and screening each for symptoms of and exposure to COVID-19.
- There is constant internal communication to relevant stakeholders, including frontline staff, physicians and nurses, managers and leadership.
- An internal web page serves as a resource for team members to review guidance material about COVID-19. This site ensures that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for screening and managing potentially infected individuals are followed by all clinical and administrative staff at emergency departments and other points of entry.
- We’re managing placement and supply selection for face masks and hand hygiene stations throughout our facilities.
To ensure optimal cancer care is delivered without delay or interruption, we have also instituted the following processes:
- Changes to our visitation policies
- Extensive and higher frequency cleaning of waiting areas, infusion suites and radiation therapy treatment areas
- Expanded telemedicine (virtual visit) follow-up appointment options
- Signed letters for patients receiving treatment, to exempt them from curfews and stay-at-home mandates
Please know the COVID-19 virus will not stop us from giving our patients the exceptional care they have come to expect from the cancer center.
As Orlando Health responds to the ever-changing challenges of COVID-19, we will continue to provide resources to keep you healthy and informed. If you have additional questions and wish to speak with a representative call (321) 841-1869.
What should I do about traveling?
According to the CDC…..
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html
How will COVID-19 affect my children?
According to the CDC……
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html
What if I have a cruise scheduled?
According to the CDC……
Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I’m sick with COVID-19?
According to the CDC…..
References
Florida Dept. of Health COVID-19 FAQs
CDC’s COVID-19 Fact Sheets
CDC COVID-19 fact sheet – what you need to know about COVID-19 (English)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
CDC COVID-19 fact sheet – if you have COVID-19 (English)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf
CDC COVID-19 fact sheet -- what you need to know about COVID-19 (Spanish)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet-sp.pdf
CDC COVID-19 fact sheet – if you have COVID-19 (Spanish)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet-sp.pdf
COVID-19 FAQs
CDC’s General FAQs about COVID-19
CDC’s Spanish-Language Resources
CDC’s COVID-19 home page (Spanish)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html
CDC COVID-19 fact sheet -- what you need to know about COVID-19 (Spanish)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet-sp.pdf
CDC COVID-19 fact sheet – if you have COVID-19 (Spanish)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet-sp.pdf
