General Information about COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis. 

Source: CDC.gov
 

Why is the disease being called coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19?

On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.”

There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practice external icon for naming of new human infectious diseases. 

Source: CDC.gov
 

I have been tested for COVID-19 but have not received the results, what should I do?

COVID-19 test results are sent by the patient portal. If you have not signed up for the patient portal, your results will be mailed to you and may take an additional 3-5 days. If you have not signed up for the portal, but would like to, you can find instructions for self-registration under tools.

Please note that asymptomatic testing, the free testing provided by the state, may take up to 5 days to provide results.