With more businesses, churches, restaurants, and other gathering places reopening in St. Louis County each day, public health experts expect a rise in cases of coronavirus in the coming weeks.
To protect yourself and others against COVID-19:
1. Keep 6 feet apart from other people whenever possible. This social distancing makes it harder for the coronavirus to spread through the air or through physical contact.
2. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go out. Some places require face coverings to be worn at all times—including public transportation. This protects you from getting the virus from others, and it prevents others who might be sick and not know it from spreading the germs to you. People who don’t show any symptoms can still be infected and still spread the virus.
3. Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds. You can pick up the virus from touching surfaces and then infect yourself by touching your nose or other parts of your face. Washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer gets rid of the virus. Gloves can help too, but you should change them often if you wear them.
If you have symptoms, don’t go out. Common symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, headache, sore throat, or sudden loss of taste or smell. Some people also have muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and repeated shaking with chills.
To get a free COVID-19 test, visit the drive-thru testing station at 6763 Page Ave. in Pagedale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call Affinia Healthcare at 314.833.2777 or visit affiniahealthcare.org/covid-19.