Model of Coronavirus

About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that spreads from person to person, mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets. Droplets are produced when an infected person speaks, sings, coughs or sneezes.

The COVID-19 virus is not that same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 Symptoms

Mild symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, runny nose, loss of sense of smell/taste, sore throat, and/or diarrhea. If you have mild symptoms you should seek testing

Call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room if you have severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or a fever that doesn't respond to medication.


 Test for COVID-19

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should self-isolate and get tested.

If You Test Positive

  • Stay home for at least 5 days.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days when you are around others. If available, a N95 or KN95 respirator is recommended.
  • Tell your close contacts about your positive infection.
  • Isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during the first 5 days.  
  • Watch for symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency care immediately.
  • Tell your healthcare provider. Contact them as soon as possible if:
  • Ask your doctor if infusion treatment is right for you.  
  • Testing to End Isolation

    • If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them

    • With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart done on Day 6 and Day 8, you may remove your mask sooner than the 10th day of isolation

*Negative tests results from over-the-counter antigen tests do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection, and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions, including infection control decisions.


When To Isolate

Review this flowchart to determine how long to isolate after being exposed to COVID-19.

Read more about how to Safely Distance Due to COVID-19.

Contact Tracing
  • If you test positive, a case worker may reach out to you. 
  • APH case investigators will never ask for Social Security, Medicaid, insurance, immigration, or financial information. 
  • If you believe you are receiving a scam call, request the name, title, and call back number and you can verify the information with the City of Austin by calling 311 to ask for that person. 
  • Contact tracing helps prevent further transmission of COVID-19 by identifying, monitoring and supporting individuals who have been exposed

Ask About Treatment

If you test positive and are an older adult or someone who is at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19,
treatment may be available. Contact a healthcare provider right away after a positive test, to determine if you are eligible, even if your symptoms are mild right now. You can also visit a Test to Treat location and, if eligible, receive a prescription from a provider. Don’t delay: treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.

Treatments: Monoclonal Infusions 

For Treatment

Omicron has numerous mutations in the spike protein that has reduced the efficacy of several of the monoclonal antibodies, especially bamlanivimab plus etesevimab and casirivimad plus imdevimab. Sotrovimab does have 85% hospitalization risk reduction against omicron. For referral to the Regional Infusion Center (RIC) for MAB treatment, click here.

For Preexposure Prophylaxis:

The MAC clinic is treating Central Texas patients eligible for Evusheld, a monoclonal antibody for preexposure prophylaxis used in adults and children 12y or older weighing at least 40kg, with moderate to severe immunocompromise or who receive immunosuppressive medications and may not mount an adequate response to a Covid-19 vaccination. Evusheld is not for treatment of Covid-19.

Providers are required to have a clinical conversation regarding risk and benefits with their patient before completing and submitting the referral form. For HIPAA compliant referral to the Prep MAC Clinic for Evusheld therapy, click here.

EVUSHELDTM – Clinical Considerations

  • Not authorized for treatment of COVID-19, nor for post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID19 in individuals who have been exposed to someone infected with SARS-CoV-2.
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis with EVUSHELD is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended.
  • In individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, EVUSHELD should be administered at least two weeks after vaccination.
  • Examples of medical conditions or treatments that may result in moderate to severe immune compromise and an inadequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination are provided in the Health Care Provider Fact Sheet.

Health Care Provider Fact Sheet