Austin HEB employee tests positive for COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas - An employee at HEB has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

According to a press release from the company, the partner was working at the HEB Plus! on 2508 East Riverside Drive in South Austin. The partner was last in the store on March 28.

"All directly affected partners at the location have been notified and the store has been deep cleaned and sanitized multiple times since then and we continue to enforce proper social distancing practices," the company said in a press release.

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu. Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose.

Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization.

A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

Right now there's one big difference between flu and coronavirus: A vaccine exists to help prevent the flu and it's not too late to get it. It won't protect you from catching the coronavirus but may put you in a better position to fight it.

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.