As reported COVID-19 cases continue to go up — and because not everyone who may be ill can be tested — the Wyoming Department of Health is offering advice on what residents who are sick with a respiratory illness should do.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which are also symptoms of other respiratory illnesses such as influenza.

“If you have a fever or cough, you might have COVID-19,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist. “We know most people who are infected have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care.”

However, health officials also know that people who are 65 and older and those who have medical conditions — such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and weak immune systems — are more likely to get severe illness, she said.

“If you’re sick, we need you to stay home except to get medical help if your symptoms include trouble breathing, steady chest pain or pressure, or bluish lips or face,” Harrist said. “We suggest calling ahead to a medical professional for help to decide whether you need more evaluation or calling 911 for an obvious medical emergency.”

Other recommendations to follow when ill include:

• Avoid contact with other people in public areas

• Keep away from other people at home as much as possible

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Wash hands often

• Avoid sharing personal household items like eating utensils and drinking glasses

• Clean high-touch surfaces every day

“Most reported cases of COVID-19 in Wyoming so far can describe a likely source of infection, such as contact with a known case,” said Harrist. “But there are others with an unknown source of infection and there are likely more illnesses than we have been able to track. We believe there is local community spread in Wyoming.”

Harrist noted COVID-19 is a new disease despite the familiar symptoms.

“That means higher potential for quick spread. Our bodies aren’t prepared to fight a new virus and there are no vaccines or proven treatments yet available,” she said. “With new diseases there can be more people sick at one time, which is tough for our local healthcare systems to handle.”

Harrist said anyone can get sick and has a chance of a serious illness with COVID-19, and anyone who is sick can pass it on to others.

“That’s why it is incredibly important to stay home when you are sick and for everyone to follow the public health orders that are in place to limit contact for all of us with others,” she said. “They are meant to save lives and to reduce the spread of this disease in our state.”

More information about COVID-19 and Wyoming can be found online at https://bit.ly/2UAmg7m.