What You Need to Know: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As COVID-19 spreads in our region, we are making daily evaluations and proceeding with an abundance of caution. The health and well-being of our clients, staff, and volunteers remains our top priority and we want you to keep informed the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
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. While we are still learning about the virus, we do know that it looks a lot like other respiratory viruses, like colds and the flu,
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes (through the air). It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People who have COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms of fevers, a cough, or trouble breathing. Most people who get sick from the COVID-19 coronavirus start to feel these symptoms between 4-7 days after catching it, though some people have shown symptoms as early as 2 days and as late as 14 days.
How can I protect myself?
There is no vaccine to keep you from catching COVID-19 coronavirus. There are simple things everyone can do to prevent catching the COVID-19 coronavirus:
â— Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content;
â— Try to not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if you haven’t washed your hands;
â— Try to stay away from people who are sick;
â— If you are sick, stay home and try to stay away from other people;
â— Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
How do you treat COVID-19 coronavirus?
Most people who have COVID-19 coronavirus get better just by staying at home, resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever medicine like Tylenol or ibuprofen. You should stay at home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others in public places (work, school, public areas, and public transportation. If you are sick, you should wear a facemask when you are around other people (sharing a room or vehicle).
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in a sealed trash container and wash hands immediately after. Avoid sharing dishes, food, towels, and bedding with other people or pets in your home if you are sick. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects such as doorknobs, counters, buttons, bathroom fixtures, phones, and so on. There is no medicine or cure that works specifically for coronavirus at this time.
If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them if you may have, or have been in contact with someone with, COVID-19. Follow the instructions of your healthcare provider. If you do not have an appointment and would like to seek care, please call your doctor’s office and inform them of your contact with the virus. Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or health professionals, as appropriate.
For more information about what to do if you are sick, click here.