Emory launches a new online tool for COVID-19 screening

The website is a way to self-triage and is designed to help prevent a surge of patients at hospitals and health-care facilities, according to Emory infectious disease expert Dr. Carlos del Rio. He also said this can help people get answers quickly rather than waiting on hold for hours on a helpline.

Based on the answers to questions about symptoms, age and other medical problems, people are placed into one of three categories: high risk (needs immediate medical attention); intermediate risk (can contact their doctors for guidance about how to best manage their illness); and low risk (can most likely administer self-care or recover at home).

The free tool was designed by Vital software with guidance from Emory.

The site is not a replacement for a health-care provider evaluation, according to Emory doctors.

Meanwhile, Apple also has developed a new website (apple.com/covid19) and app that provides screening for COVID-19 symptoms.

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In a conference call with reporters Monday, del Rio said many people who are suffering from seasonal allergies are concerned they might have COVID-19. He said itchy eyes, scratchy throats and occasional coughs are typical symptoms of seasonal allergies. One distinction between allergies and COVID-19 is you don’t get a fever with allergies. But fever is a telling sign of COVID-19.

Doctors think loss of smell and taste could be an early symptom of the coronavirus, before a person develops a cough, according to information posted on the American Academy of Otolaryngology website.

Every morning, del Rio performs a check on himself. If he doesn’t have an elevated temperature and he can smell his coffee, he said, he considers himself “good to go.”