Am I at Risk of COVID-19?

by | Jun 15, 2020 | Family Health, Healthy Living, Urgent Care Clinic, Walk In Clinic

We’ve been hearing about COVID-19 for months now, seemingly everywhere we turn. But many of us still don’t have a good understanding of what the condition actually is and if we’re at risk.

That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina is dedicating this blog to answering a few common questions about the virus. Read on as we offer some insight.

What’s My Risk of Getting COVID-19

We all have some level of risk when it comes to COVID-19. It has affected millions of Americans since it first began spreading in the United States early this year.

In fact, as of June 1, more than 1.5 million Americans had been diagnosed, including nearly 30,000 North Carolinians. While we’re all at risk, there are some of us who have a higher risk of developing the virus, which is spread through airborne particles.

Those at Highest Risk

  • Those age 65 and older
  • Those with chronic health conditions
  • Those who are immune-compromised
  • Those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities

How Can I Lower My Risk of Getting COVID-19?

Despite the fact that businesses are reopening and normal activities are beginning, your best defense against getting COVID-19 is still to remain in your home as much as possible. Close contact with others is the biggest factor in spreading the virus.

If you’re spending more time away from home, though, you’ll want to take extra precautions, like those outlined by the CDC—wear a cloth face covering outside the home if age 2 or older, stay six feet away from others, wash your hands regularly, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces often.

Basics of Handwashing

  • Wet your hands with running water.
  • Lather your hands with soap, including between your fingers and under nails.
  • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • Rinse your hands under running water.
  • Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, we are offering COVID-19 testing at our urgent care centers. Visit the AFC Urgent Care North Carolina website to learn more or to schedule a testing appointment.