What do you need to know about Coronavirus and COVID-19? COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a type of virus known as a coronavirus. The new coronavirus discovered in late 2019 can spread between people in close contact, usually about 6 feet, when an infected person sneezes or coughs. You can also become infected by touching a surface that has the virus on it, and then touching your face. The new coronavirus is highly contagious. It’s also really hard to know if a person is infected because people who have it don’t always show signs of being sick. And right now, there’s no vaccine for this virus.

So, how do you avoid getting or spreading it? Grab some soap and scrub! That’s right. Good hygiene is one of the best ways to help prevent the spread of the virus.

• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. You can make sure you hit 20 seconds by singing the ABCs or happy birthday twice.
• If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your face
• Clean all high-touch surfaces in your home and work area with disinfectant wipes or sprays. This includes things like doorknobs, faucets, and keyboards.
• And always cover your coughs and sneezes, preferably with a tissue. Then throw that tissue in the trash.

You should also practice something new you may have heard of – it’s called social distancing. What this means is that until this virus is under control, we all need to limit the number of people we come into contact with. You can do this by:

• staying at home as much as you can
• If you need to go out for something important, such buying groceries or seeking medical care, try to stay 6 feet away from other people.

How do you know if you might have the coronavirus? Common symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Many people have only mild symptoms, while others may develop serious complications like pneumonia and require hospital care.

What should you do if you feel sick? If you have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue – you should stay at home and call your doctor for advice. If you have trouble breathing, a high fever or other serious signs of illness, you should seek medical help right away. Call your doctor’s office or emergency department before going in and tell them you have symptoms of COVID-19. Calling ahead gives healthcare workers a chance to protect themselves and other patients and helps keep the virus from spreading.

With new information about this virus released every day, it’s more important than ever to stay informed. For the latest on prevention and protection, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov. You can also look at your state’s health authority website for updates about your city and county.

And finally, stay positive! Many people are working hard to help control this virus. Let’s all do our part to keep each other healthy.

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Disclaimer

Finity Communications Incorporated is not a licensed medical care provider and represents that it has no expertise in diagnosing, examining, or treating medical conditions of any kind. The health information offered in this video is designed for educational purposes only. You are strongly encouraged to speak with your physician or healthcare provider if you have questions about COVID-19.