As the 2019 novel coronavirus continues to spread, public health officials are urging those who may be symptomatic to stay home and self-isolate, but what exactly does it mean to “self-isolate?”

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf tells Raccoon Valley Radio if someone has symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, dry cough, body aches or shortness of breath, that individual needs to self-isolate at home. She explains what that means for other family members at home when someone needs to self-isolate.

“That does mean that we do not want them to be around their family members, try to stay in a separate room, (and) avoid any contact with the family as much as possible. You can use the same bathroom but make sure it is all wiped down again with disinfectant. We’re trying to prevent the spread (of COVID-19) within the family too.”

Wolf says there is a specific test that is just for this type of virus, which will give health professionals better guidance of how to direct someone for possible additional care.

“It’s not like other coronaviruses that cause colds and typical common virus illnesses that we see. The usual panel that we use for screening other coronaviruses, COVID-19 will not be picked up on that particular common screen.”

Wolf reminds everyone that if you are self-isolating to make sure you follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to end self-isolation: no fever for 72 hours without using medication, symptoms have improved and wait at least seven days after the symptoms first appeared. She adds, if you feel the symptoms are getting worse, contact your physician or the Emergency Room for further guidance.