Some of the information below is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
Should I be tested for COVID-19?
Key times that you should be tested for a current COVID-19 infection include the following:
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If you have symptoms, test immediately.
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Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 community level.
How can someone get tested for COVID-19 at Phelps Health?
At Phelps Health, we are able to test patients for COVID-19 at our Walk-In Clinics in Rolla and Waynesville. No appointment necessary. Open 7 days a week. You also can contact your primary care provider for COVID-19 testing.
Our Walk-In Clinics can order antibody testing (to check for past infections of COVID-19) during your visit, but you will be sent to one of our labs for the blood test. You also can contact your primary care physician or provider for antibody testing.
COVID-19 At-Home Tests: COVID-19 at-home test kits are available for purchase at local pharmacies. If your at-home test shows that you are positive for COVID-19, contact your doctor or healthcare provider for treatment options or care instructions.
Reminder: Always call your primary care physician or provider first if you suspect you may have COVID-19. Your doctor’s office may be able to help. If you are not a current Phelps Health patient, you can establish care with a Phelps Health primary care physician or provider today by calling (573) 364-9000.
What happens if a patient received testing for COVID-19 at Phelps Health?
Patients should call their primary care provider if they have not received a follow-up call or MyChart message with their test results within 5 to 7 days. Patients who have been tested should remain in self-isolation until the test results are available. Follow the advice given to you by your healthcare provider or doctor's office.
Learn about when and if you need to quarantine or isolate from the CDC. These recommendations do not apply to healthcare personnel and do not supersede state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
If a patient’s symptoms worsen (such as developing shortness of breath, chest pain or confusion), they should call ahead to their local emergency department to let staff know they are coming to the emergency department. A patient also can call 911 in an emergency. When calling 911, patients should notify the dispatcher they have COVID-19, so the EMS crew can wear appropriate protection.
What should I do if I am sick with COVID-19?
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
- Stay at home for at least 5 days.
- Separate yourself from others.
- Monitor your symptoms.
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
- If you are sick, wear a well-fitting mask.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid sharing personal household items.
- Regularly clean surfaces in your home.
- Improve ventilation (air flow) and filtration at home.
For more information, see What to Do if You Are Sick.
If you tested positive for COVID-19, learn what to do.
If I have COVID-19, for how long do I need to isolate?
Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19. You also should isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:
If you had no symptoms
- Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result).
- Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested.
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
If you had symptoms
- Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive.
- Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started.
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were.
If you had no symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
If you had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5 if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
- Your symptoms are improving
If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.
If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
Learn about when and if you need to quarantine or isolate from the CDC. These recommendations do not apply to healthcare personnel and do not supersede state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
Do Not Delay Emergency Care
If you have an emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department. The Phelps Health Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Does Phelps Health have any visitor restrictions?
Read the current visitor guidelines at Phelps Health.
Please note: As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, Phelps Health may change visitor restrictions. Please check our social media pages and website for the latest on Phelps Health’s response to COVID-19.
