COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus discovered in 2019. This type of virus infects humans and animals, but this strain has not been seen in humans before 2019.

For more information, visit the CDC's website.

COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

• Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
• Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
• Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.

For more information, visit the CDC's website.

COVID-19 variantes, like the delta variant, are strains of the virus that causes COVID-19. Numerous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being tracked in the United States and globally during this pandemic. To learn more, please visit the CDC's COVID-19 variants page.

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Headache
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

First, stay calm. If you notice COVID-19 symptoms, you should isolate from others as much as possible. Please contact your provider or nearest clinic as soon as possible for proper screening and assessment, which could include testing.

Masks, vaccines, hand washing and social distancing are all layers of protection we have in order to fight COVID-19. The more layers we use, the better protected we'll be against the virus and spreading it to others.

Your entire well-being matters to us. When you need some help, we would like to make it easier for you to find free and reduced cost services for your needs. If you're looking for food assistance, help with paying bills, a ride somewhere important or other types of support begin your search here.

Our Together We Care community resources tool is free to use. It offers completely private searches to help you to find free and reduced-cost local community resources specific to your needs. Local community resources are accessible to members of your local community through programs, services, support groups or other offerings.

In these unprecedented times, it takes a village to meet the challenges of COVID-19. Your gift now, more than ever, will be felt. Even if you are not on the frontlines, your help will be. It will show what happens when our hearts, our humanity, and our communities rise, as one.

Your support of our Health Care Heroes will help us continue the battle of COVID-19. Your compassionate gift will ensure our doctors, nurses and countless other healthcare workers will have the resources they need. We are in this together and, together, we will get through this. Thank you for standing with us; you are at the center of everything we do.

We love our healthcare workers and we are glad you do too! If you would like to support our team members with meals, treats or items, please call (319) 369-7716 or email CR_Foundation@unitypoint.org to coordinate the delivery:

St. Luke's Foundation
Medical Office Plaza
855 A Ave. NE – 1st floor
Cedar Rapids, IA
(319) 369-7716

Another way to show support is to purchase a T-shirt! Forty percent of all shirt sales will go to our team members. All apparel is approved uniform at St. Luke's.

View many options here.