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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is COVID-19?

    COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans and can spread from person to person.

  • What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

    People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

    These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Chills
    • Repeated shaking with chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • New loss of taste or smell

    If you experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to call us or make a telemedicine appointment. We will be able to evaluate your symptoms and tell you the next steps to take.

    Please be aware some people may have uncommon symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, conjunctivitis, signs of a stroke, or rashes such as hives, blister-type lesions, or blue finger tips and toes. Children may present with the signs and symptoms of Kawasaki’s Disease. Older individuals may also present with unusual symptoms such as confusion, sleeping more, dizziness, or decreased appetite.

    If your symptoms become severe, call 911.

  • What tests are available for COVID-19?

    Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: a diagnostic test (PCR) to identify active infection and a serology test to detect antibodies and assumed immunity. Helix Urgent Care offers both tests at all of our locations. Learn more about our COVID-19 testing capabilities.

    For comprehensive testing information, please visit the CDC website.

  • How can I protect myself from getting Coronavirus?

    The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to COVID-19. It is thought Coronavirus is spread mainly from person-to-person who are in close contact through respiratory droplets produced from an infected person. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 everyone should:

    • Wash their hands regularly. If soap and water is not readily available use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
    • Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home as much as possible and put distance between themselves and others.
    • Cover their mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

    Visit the CDC website for more tips on how to further protect yourself and others.

  • What is social distancing?

    Social distancing means keeping space between yourself and others. To slow the spread of COVID-19 people should:

    • Stay at least 6 feet apart
    • Refrain from gathering in groups and avoid mass gatherings
    • Stay out of crowded places
    • Wear a mask if traveling with others in a car or on pubic transportation

    Learn more about social distancing and how to protect yourself.

  • Why do I need to wear cloth face coverings?

    The CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering when social distancing practices are difficult to protect the people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms. This will help slow the spread of COVID-19. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators are considered critical supplies and should be reserved for use by healthcare works and other first responders.

  • How should I disinfect my home to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

    We encourage you to follow the CDC’s guidance on how to disinfect your home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  • How should I care for someone sick at home?

    If someone is sick in your household or is asymptomatic but has tested positive for COVID-19, we suggest following the CDC’s guidance to protect yourself and others in your home.

  • What should I do if I am sick?

    If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms you might have COVID-19. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact Helix Urgent Care or your healthcare provider and keep track of your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign, such as trouble breathing, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

    To have your symptoms evaluated, take advantage of Helix Urgent Care Virtual Visits, so you can receive care in the comfort of your own home. We can take care of a wide range of health care concerns and will determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

  • How should I seek care at Helix Urgent Care during the COVID-19 pandemic?

    If you need to seek care for yourself or for a member of your family, Helix Urgent Care has got you covered.

    • Schedule a virtual visit. Our physician-led team can assess your symptoms wherever you happen to be. We can take care of a wide range of health concerns without requiring a visit to our clinic.
    • If you are symptomatic and think you may have COVID-19, contact one of our offices to schedule an appointment that is convenient for you.
    • If you are asymptomatic and want to know if you or any of your family members may have immunity to COVID-19, just walk into one of our many clinics providing antibody testing.
    • For all other urgent care needs just walk-in anytime, 365 days a year.

  • Is it safe to visit your clinics right now?

    Yes. In addition to our standard infection control protocols, which include sanitizing exam rooms and tablets between patients and sanitizing common areas regularly throughout the day, we have taken additional steps to protect our patients and staff which include:

    • Encouraging social distancing by asking patients to wait in their cars after check-in.
    • Requiring all patients to wear face coverings.
    • Referring any patient with a respiratory illness to our virtual telehealth service.
    • Dedicating certain locations to solely performing diagnostic COVID-19 testing. Many of our locations offer COVID-19 antibody testing for asymptomatic patients and continue to offer the same urgent care services you know and trust.

  • We encourage you to check the following websites for the latest information and updates about Coronavirus.