Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information

What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is transmitted through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Getting sick from these droplets requires proximity to an infected person, or touching a surface that might have a droplet and then touching your mouth, nose and possibly eyes. You are not at a high risk of contracting the virus unless you have recently traveled to an outbreak site or event, or have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus. More information about COVID-19 can be found on the CDC website.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Is COVID-19 contagious?

Yes. Currently, there is no widely available vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. You can significantly reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 by frequently washing your hands, wearing a mask in public, and practice social distancing.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus is spread mainly through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

It is also possible for someone to get COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface or object, and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.

How can I protect myself?

Clean your hands frequently.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Additional ways to protect yourself:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
• CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

How can I protect others?

Ways you can protect others from contracting COVID-19:

• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
• CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.