Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs

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What is the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?

2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.

What are the symptoms and complications that Novel Coronavirus 2019 can cause?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

How does the virus spread?

It’s not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person. When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.

What are the recommended precautions against the virus?

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Stay away from people who are sick.
  • Practice social distancing.

Has anyone in the U.S gotten infected?

Yes. There have been confirmed cases in the U.S. See the current U.S. case count of infection with COVID-19 at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

View an infographic of ‘What we Know’ about COVID-19 symptoms, how it spreads, and treatment.