Experts say the only real way to know the answer is to test, but until then, health officials say to treat any possible symptoms assuming they are related to COVID.

"If you think it's a cold, if you think it's the flu, it's probably COVID," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr.

"That's good because they're not getting seriously sick, they're not threatening the healthcare system, but it's certainly of some concern because they do have the potential to transmit to others.".

In hospital settings, testing "for not just COVID but for the whole respiratory panel" are increasing across the Chicago area, Loafman said, but testing for such cases is only done when a patient is sick enough to need medical care.

congestion, some shortness of breath - those are all very, very common for both flu and COVID and I think for most of us, we wouldn't really be able to tell the difference.".

She repeated earlier calls for people who have any flu- or cold-like symptoms to assume they have COVID "until proven otherwise.".

More true than ever right now because sick, even a little bit sick, until proven otherwise with a test - that's COVID.

"Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you."

The CDC urges those who have or may have COVID-19 to watch for emergency warning signs and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms including: