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COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) | Texas DSHS Skip to main content ENGList additional actionsES Language EnglishList additional actionsEspañol Top Menu Programs A-Z Index News & Alerts Contact Us Click here to visit facebook Click here to visit twitter Click here to visit instagram Click here to visit website Enter your search term Click here to search term Enter your search term Click here to search term Services Services Vital Statistics Birth Records Death Records Marriage & Divorce Records Laboratory Services Menu of Services Programs & Laboratories Local Health Department Labs Specimen Collection Guidelines Regional & Local Health Public Health Regions Texas Border Health Texas Center for Infectious Disease Public Health Nursing Research & Funding Resources Funding Alerts Grant Writing Resources Grants Database Events & Training Library Services How to Borrow Materials Audiovisual Library View all Services Health & Wellness Health & Wellness Family Health Maternal & Child 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Screening Sickle Cell Disease Hemoglobin Disorders Critical Congenital Heart Disease Phenylketonuria (PKU) View all Diseases & Conditions Business & Compliance Consumer Protection Food Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Warehouses Drug Manufacturers & Distributors Environmental Hazards Programs Asbestos Safety Licenses, Registrations & Permits Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Licensure Tattoo & Body Piercing Food Manager Food Handler Asbestos Safety View all Business & Compliance Data & Case Reporting Health Statistics & Data Center for Health Statistics Vital Statistics Data Nursing Workforce Research Texas Cancer Registry Reporting Notifiable Conditions National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) Health Care Information Collection (THCIC) Texas Syndromic Surveillance (TxS2) View all Data & Case Reporting Top Menu Programs A-Z Index News & Alerts Contact Us ENGList additional actionsES Language EnglishList additional actionsEspañol Click here to visit facebook Click here to visit twitter Click here to visit instagram Click here to visit website Home COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) main content COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with local, state, and federal partners in responding to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). COVID-19 Vaccine Information Get the latest information on vaccines in development and the distribution across Texas.COVID-19 Vaccine Information  |   National Vaccine Finder   COVID-19 Medications Available Near You DSHS recommends the available, oral medication Paxlovid as the first-line treatment for high-risk Texans with symptomatic COVID-19. To find medication near you, talk to your doctor or use the Test-to-Treat Locator:HHS COVID-19 Test-to-Treat Locator COVID-19 therapeutic and treatment information for patients and providers: Information for Patients Information for Providers   Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 that occurs in children under 21 years old. It causes multiple body parts to become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.Learn more about MIS-C  |  MIS-C Data   COVID-19 Variants Find the latest information and data about the variants of COVID-19.COVID-19 Variant FAQs  |  Variants Data Browse this site for prevention tips, symptoms, testing information, and what to do if you're sick. Hospitals, healthcare professionals, local public health, community leaders, and others can find resources throughout this website to help them in their response to COVID-19. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. Check back often for the latest details and what Texans need to know about COVID-19. More COVID-19 public health recommendations, guidance, and information is available:Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC) How COVID-19 Spreads The virus spreads mainly from person to person: 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. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing any symptoms. The virus may also be spread through surfaces: By a person touching a surface or object that has virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.   Prevention of COVID-19 Vaccination is the best tool we have to protect people and communities from COVID-19. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Information page on this website. Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines do not stop 100% of cases. But people who are up to date on their vaccines are less likely to be infected. They are also better protected from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. DSHS encourages the voluntary use of masks, along with other actions, as prevention against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Under Governor Abbott’s Executive Order, mandatory masking for COVID-19 is not authorized. Please review the Executive Order for more specific information. Wearing a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of your vaccination status, can help protect you and everyone close to you. Public health mask recommendations are available for public transportation and healthcare settings. Some businesses may have mask preferences for their employees and customers. Take the precautions below to protect yourself and others from infection and illness. Wash hands with soap and water. Wear a face covering. Cover coughs and sneezes. Avoid touching face. Disinfect often touched surfaces. Stay 6 feet apart.   Hand-Washing Video (YouTube)Hand Sanitizer Video (YouTube) Third-party videos may not have closed captioning. Alternatively, you can download or print the DSHS Hand-Washing flyer: English | Spanish DSHS recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus, including COVID-19:   Consider wearing a well-fitting mask, especially in indoor public places if you are not up to date on your vaccines, you are at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19, or you live in an area where many COVID-19 cases are being reported. Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. This can include when your household members are sick, if possible. DSHS also recommends staying six feet apart from others indoors in public if you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines or if you are at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19.   Symptoms of COVID-19 Patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: FeverCoughShortness of Breath       Other symptoms reported with COVID-19 include: Chills Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Find more information about COVID-19 symptoms (CDC).   COVID-19 Testing People can get tested for COVID-19 at public testing sites or drive-thru locations in certain parts of Texas. If you need help finding a doctor or accessing medical care, call 2-1-1 and they can direct you to low- or no-cost providers in your area. Find more public health information about the types of COVID-19 testing: Test for Current Infection (CDC) Test for Past Infection (CDC)   What to Do If You Are Sick Symptoms of COVID-19 may show up 2-14 days after exposure. The steps you should take if you think you are sick with COVID-19 depend on whether you have a higher risk of developing severe illness. High-Risk Individuals: Older adults and/or people of any age with certain medical conditions are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.People Who Are at Increased Risk for Severe Illness (CDC) If you are a high-risk individual and you develop fever or symptoms, call your doctor. If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow your doctor's instructions and refer to public health recommendations for how to take care of yourself at home (CDC). General Population: If you are in generally good health and have mild symptoms, stay home and take care of yourself like you would for a cold or the flu. If symptoms worsen, call your doctor. If you need help finding a doctor or accessing medical care, call 2-1-1 and they can direct you to low- or no-cost providers in your area. See more information on how to take care of yourself and others at home if sick: If You Are Sick or Caring for SomeoneCDC.gov Caring for Yourself at HomeCDC.gov Caring for Someone at HomeCDC.gov Find information on disinfecting your home if someone is sick:Disinfecting Your Home (CDC)   Contact Us If you have any questions or would like more information about COVID-19, contact us by phone: Phone: Dial 2-1-1, then choose Option 6. For local assistance, see the listing of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Local Health Entities. For other local resources and assistance in your community, visit the 211Texas.org website.   This page is being updated as new information becomes available.   Book traversal links for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) ‹ TEHDI Provider Trainings Up Texas COVID-19 Data › COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Texas COVID-19 Data COVID-19 Vaccine Information #HealthyTexas COVID-19 Communication Tools Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 Variant FAQs COVID-19 Testing Information COVID-19 Therapeutics Information Information for COVID-19 Therapeutics Providers Information for Businesses & Employers Information for Hospitals & Healthcare Professionals Information for Laboratories Information for Public Health Information for Communities & Other Specific Groups Agency Click here to expand and collapse Agency About DSHS Legislative Information Compact with Texans Website Feedback Privacy Practices Report Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Careers Click here to expand and collapse Careers Jobs at DSHS Internships at DSHS Preventive Medicine Residency Volunteer Opportunities Resources Click here to expand and collapse Resources Office of Practice and Learning Grand Rounds HIPAA Site Policies Site Map Texas Click here to expand and collapse Texas Texas.gov Texas HHS Texas Homeland Security Texas Veterans Portal Statewide Search Copyright ©2022 Texas Department of State Health Services. 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