COVID-19 - Coronavirus Disease 2019

The evidence shows that coronavirus may spread more easily and cause life-threatening illness in some people. Like other coronaviruses, it can survive in the air and on surfaces long enough to infect someone. However, it multiplies faster in the body even when you don’t have symptoms. Additionally, you can pass on the virus even if you never get symptoms at all. Some people have mild to moderate symptoms only, while others have severe COVID-19 symptoms.
The virus is typically spread during close contact and via respiratory droplets produced when people cough or sneeze.
Respiratory droplets may be produced during breathing but it is not considered airborne.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include muscle pain, sputum production, diarrhea, sore throat, and loss of smell and taste. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Prevention

Washing hands with soap and warm water often and for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Practicing good respiratory hygiene and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and use the inside of the elbow if no tissue is available. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Staying at home, avoid crowded places. Social distancing strategies aim to reduce contact of infected persons with large groups by closing schools and workplaces, restricting travel, and canceling mass gatherings. Social distancing also includes that people stay at least 6 feet apart (about 1.80 meters).

If you are sick,  you should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
If you are NOT sick, you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.