Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention—particularly if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider before you go to tell them about your symptoms and recent travel history.

If you are sick, you can use virtual care options to seek medical treatment without exposing others to illness.

• CoxHealth Virtual Visits
• MyMercy

COVID-19  is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new lost of taste or smell. It is important to remember that these symptoms are common in many illnesses. 

The COVID-19 vaccines are our best defense against the virus and its variants. Currently, three vaccines are authorized for use. 

• Pfizer-BioNTech (for ages 5 and up)
• Moderna (for ages 18 and up)
• Johnson & Johnson (for ages 18 and up)

 We will keep our vaccine page updated with the latest information.

As of May 28, 2021 face coverings are no longer required within the Springfield city limits. However, following CDC guidance, it is recommended that individuals who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask and practice physical distancing while in public spaces. 

Isolation and quarantine are both used to protect the public by preventing exposure to people who are sick or who may be sick.

• "Isolation" refers to separating a sick person from others.
• "Quarantine" refers to separating people who are not sick, but may have been exposed to an illness, from others. Individuals who have become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last 6 months (Pfizer or Moderna) or 2 months (Johnson and Johnson) or recently received a booster do not have to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19 unless symptoms develop. 

You can read more about the distinction between these terms here.

Nationality is not a risk factor for COVID-19. An individual is only considered at risk for this illness if they or a very close contact have recently traveled to an area impacted by COVID-19, regardless of race.