Revised COVID-19 symptom list released - News - Sturgis Journal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently revised its list of COVID-19 symptoms, as health officials learn more about the virus.

Rebecca Burns, health officer at Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, said one of the misconceptions about COVID-19 is that if people don’t have a fever, they don’t have the virus.

"A lot of people who have tested positive never had a fever," she said. "We find a lot of people don’t have a fever with COVID-19."

Burns said CDC recently changed the order of key symptoms, placing fever below a loss of taste and smell.

"The loss of taste and smell alone, or a cough or shortness of breath, is more indicative of COVID-19," Burns said.

As of Thursday, there were four new cases of COVID-19 reported in St. Joseph County, bringing the total number of cases since March to 623, with 11 deaths. Branch County reported nine new cases Thursday for a cumulative total of 509 general public cases and four deaths. Hillsdale County had two new cases reported Thursday for a total of 292, and 26 deaths.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness, according to CDC. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Many symptoms mimic influenza or a gastrointestinal virus, including fever, chills, sore throat, congestion, vomiting and diarrhea.

CDC said there currently is limited information about reinfections with the virus that causes COVID-19.

"This is a new virus, and CDC is actively working to learn more," CDC said in a statement.

Burns said people are encouraged to contact their health care provider if they suspect they have COVID-19 or to be tested. Mobile test sites are available in various communities.

Online: bhsj.org

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