By Mary O’KEEFE

COVID-19 can produce a variety of symptoms ranging from serious to none at all.

“We are only testing [those] who are symptomatic,” said Dr. Narbeh Tovmassian, lead physician at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Common symptoms include a cough, fever and shortness of breath. The cough is a dry cough that does not break up, he said.

The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia, which is also a respiratory disease that causes shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting.

“A couple of months ago when people [came] in with viral pneumonia we would [do] a chest X-ray to help diagnose it,” Tovmassian said.

But with COVID-19, a simple chest X-ray does not confirm the presence of the disease. Those who think they have been exposed, or those who have had their doctors tell them they may have COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, are asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Testing is only being done to those who show symptoms. If a doctor has prescribed a test and either the person has been tested or is awaiting the results they are to stay home in self-isolation, which includes isolating themselves from others in the home. People who have been exposed and those who have been tested are to inform anyone with whom they have had close contact.

Many who have been tested and are positive for COVID-19 are staying home. They are not to leave their home unless their symptoms become worse, or 72 hours after their fever has remained normal without the help of fever reducing drugs.

“We are telling people to assume [they] have it and put [themselves] in self isolation,” Tovmassian said for those who show mild symptoms.

He added some people who come into the hospital with a fever and test positive get better; others need to be on respirators.

“It can come on fast,” he said of the symptoms.

Tovmassian said the staff has enough testing kits, as of now, for those who need testing.

“It is not as much having the test but to run the test,” he said. The tests are being administered but the results are taking longer to get back.

Tovmassian praised the USC-VHH leadership during this crisis.

“I am thankful to the great leadership at [USC-VHH]. We are having meetings every day and have had all the support we need,” he added.

The hospital has even brought in additional doctors.

He advised anyone with serious symptoms of COVID-19 to come to the hospital or call their physician “right away.”

  Mary Okeefe