What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a virus that causes respiratory illness that can spread from person to person through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, or by touching a surface that has the virus on it and touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. Why is it important for everyone to be aware?

While most people who are young and healthy will likely experience mild symptoms, those in high-risk groups such as the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems (chronic illnesses, undergoing treatment for cancer, etc.) can experience severe complications from COVID-19.

We all need to be conscious of the possibility of exposing these high-risk individuals to the virus and take precautionary measures if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

You are more likely to develop this condition if you:

• Live in or have recently traveled to an area with a viral outbreak
• Come into contact with a sick person who recently traveled to an area with a viral outbreak
• Care for or live with an infected person

More information is available and updated regularly at www.CDC.gov

If you are experiencing symptoms you should:

• Stay at home except for medical care

• Wear a face mask when you are around other people and going to a medical appointment or the hospital

• Take your temperature two times a day and monitor for fever (100.4 or higher)

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues then immediately wash your hands, do not cough into your elbow
• WASH YOUR HANDS often with soap and water for 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry
• Do not share household items with family members/friends
• Separate yourself from your family
• Clean hard surfaces daily with antibacterial/anti-germicidal solutions such as Clorox or Lysol. The American Chemistry Council Novel Coronavirus Fighting Products provides a comprehensive list.

Call your doctor if you develop a fever (100.4 or higher), current symptoms worsen or you experience any of the following:

• Wheezing, increased trouble breathing and/or chest pain
• Coughing up mucous
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever (100.4 or higher) that lasts for more than 5 days
• If you seek medical care for other reasons, such as dialysis, alert them to your recent travel to an area where exposure to COVID-19 is possible.

If you have difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to the emergency room

Home isolation may be as long as 14 days and will be lifted by your healthcare provider or the local health department

Interim Guidance for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Homes and Residential Communities. (2019, February, 14). ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.htmlUpdated: March 18, 2020