The coronavirus, which the World Health Organization has now officially named COVID-19, has been in the news recently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently working with the Department of Health and Human Services and across the U.S. government in the public health response to this virus. While the CDC has stated that, for the general American public who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low at this time, everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging public health threat, as well as all respiratory viruses.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21, 2020.
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
If you are sick, to help keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay at home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
If you think that you may potentially have COVID-19, isolate yourself away from other people, shelter in place, call your doctor, and follow his/her directions. If you feel that you have a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1.
