Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us and traveling isn’t as carefree as it used to be, you may find yourself traveling to Los Angeles for work or family. But what happens if you start feeling unwell along the way? A fever, cough, headache, and sore throat are all hallmarks of the flu, but they’re also symptoms of SARS-CoV-2. Here’s what to do if you have the symptoms of COVID-19 while traveling to Los Angeles.
What to do if you have the symptoms of COVID-19 while traveling to Los Angeles.
While you are in transit…
It may not be possible to get a definitive answer as to what type of illness you have at the airport, but you can still take steps to protect yourself and those around you. While you’re in transit, you’ll want to minimize spreading your illness as much as you can.
- Check your symptoms to get a better idea of whether you have the flu or COVID-19.
- Wear your mask while you’re in public spaces, including at the terminal, in your taxi, on the plane, and at the hotel.
- Purchase and use a mask if you don’t already have one.
- Minimize what you touch at the gift shop to avoid leaving the virus on surfaces.
- Where possible, disinfect things you’ve touched.
- Don’t stop for sight-seeing; head directly to your destination.
- If you’re dropping off a rental car, inform the rental company staff of your symptoms.
Upon arrival in LA…
When you arrive in Los Angeles, resist the urge to go to a restaurant or see the sights. It’s important to minimize your exposure to others, so head directly to wherever you’re staying and plan to shelter in place for up to two weeks.
- Self-quarantine upon arrival wherever you are staying.
- Contact your doctor at home for additional guidance
- Get tested with an in-home COVID-19 test in LA to get a definitive answer about your illness without risking exposure to others.
- Inform the people you’ve been in contact with your illness to help them take steps to minimize their contact with others.
- Inform the places you’ve visited that you may have been exposed to the virus to help with contact tracing.
During quarantine…
During quarantine, it’s just as important to recover from your illness as it is to minimize your exposure to others.
- Take care of yourself while you’re sick so you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
- Stay in touch with your doctor and inform them of any changes to your condition. They will be able to advise you as to whether you need to seek medical attention.
- Stay in touch with friends and family to give them updates and stay socially connected, which can boost your mood and your recovery.
- Help minimize the chance of passing the virus on to another person by opting for contactless delivery of food or groceries.
- If you have friends in Los Angeles, you can always ask them if they can help bring food to you, but make sure to wear a mask when meeting them. Or, you can always ask them to drop it off as contactless delivery services do.
- If you have to go out, make sure to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer frequently.
If needed visit the emergency room…
Unfortunately, while COVID-19 causes mild to no symptoms in some people, it can be very dangerous for others. It’s important to monitor yourself for emergency signs and go to the emergency room if necessary for treatment. You’ll want to call ahead and let the emergency room know you have COVID-19 prior to your arrival.
Go to the hospital if you notice COVID-19 emergency warning signs, including:
- You’re having difficulty breathing
- You have pressure in your chest that won’t go away
- Your skin begins to turn blue
- You’re feeling confused or are having difficulty staying awake
In-home and in-hotel COVID-19 testing in Los Angeles
Testing is the single most important thing you can do if you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Getting tested doesn’t just help you know when it’s time to self-quarantine; it helps the people you’ve been in contact with during your trip to Los Angeles.
You can always get tested at a drive-in or a community testing center in Los Angeles, but how do you get an accurate test when you want to stay quarantined in your home or hotel? A service like Concierge MD LA brings the test directly to you, where a registered nurse administers the test and sends the sample off to a lab for analysis. Your results will be back within 48 – 72 hours.
