Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Care & Treatment
Know Your Options for Treatment
Be aware that there is only one medication approved for treatment of severe COVID-19 illness, named remdesivir (Veklury). You can only be prescribed remdesivir by a healthcare provider, and it is administered in a hospital or in a healthcare setting. If you have COVID-19, speak to your healthcare provider about treatment options. The FDA has issued emergency use authorizations for several monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 for the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
If you have a confirmed or possible case of COVID-19, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. Let them know that you suspect you may have COVID-19. Meanwhile, take care of yourself while limiting contact with those around you. Be sure to stay hydrated and get lots of rest. You should also wash your hands frequently, remain in a separate room from those you live with and limit close contact, and keep all surfaces clean.
Staying Safe from COVID-19
Headlines and news reports are devoted to covering coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It’s easy to become overwhelmed and frightened, especially if you’re an older adult or have a chronic medical condition. For people in this group, the virus can be life-threatening or even fatal.
The best way to prevent contracting COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. There are also additional steps people can take to help prevent contracting or spreading COVID-19:
- Stay 6 feet away from other people who do not live in your household. If someone in your household is sick, keep 6 feet away from the sick person as well.
- Wear a mask. Masks generally do not need to be worn outdoors but there are exceptions.
- If you are not vaccinated, you should always wear a mask when indoors in public places as well as in crowded outdoor spaces.
- If you are vaccinated, it is recommended you wear a mask in public indoor places as well as crowded outdoor spaces if your area has a high number of COVID-19 cases.
- Avoid crowds.
- Avoid spaces that are not well-ventilated (such as restaurants, gyms, and movie theaters).
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Wash your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds (sing “happy birthday” twice). Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available.
- Try not to touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth, especially if you have not washed your hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean surfaces that you touch regularly (such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, desks, phones, computer keyboards, toilets, and faucets and sinks).
- If someone in your home is sick, disinfect high-touch surfaces. Click here for details on how to disinfect.
- Pay attention to your health. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider, stay home, and stay apart from other people.
Last Updated December 2021