About COVID-19 Disease

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Learn more about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For the latest information on Rhode Island specific COVID-19 numbers, see RIDOH's COVID-19 Disease Data webpage.

 

Symptoms

  • People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fever or chills
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Sore throat
    • Headache
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Runny nose or stuffy nose
    • Fatigue
    • Recent loss of taste or smell

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

If you or anyone you know is having the following symptoms of COVID-19, call 911 or get yourself or that person to the nearest hospital right away. Tell 911 or the hospital you or that person has COVID-19:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Ongoing pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Long COVID

Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as Post-COVID conditions (PCC) or Long COVID.