General Information

The Coronavirus is a common type of virus that is spread easily from person to person. In December of 2019 there was an outbreak of a new type of Coronavirus in China (SARS-CoV-2) that rapidly spread across the world.

Covid-19 is a type of respiratory condition that is triggered by the transmission of the Coronavirus. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others experience severe symptoms and can even lead to death.

Because the Coronavirus is a respiratory virus, infectious particles live in the droplets of saliva, mucus, and in the lungs. An infected person in close contact (within six feet) with another individual can easily spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, talking, or even just breathing. An individual may also contract the virus by physical contact with frequently touched surfaces (countertops, doorknobs, light switches, etc.) and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose. Because of this, Coronavirus is considered to be incredibly contagious. Additionally, people infected with this strain of virus are contagious for a longer period of time (2 days) before showing symptoms when compared to the seasonal flu. This means that people may be unknowingly spreading the virus before the signs of infection are present. There are even cases where people may have the virus and show no symptoms throughout their period of infection (14 days or longer). These factors have led to the virus spreading faster than health organizations have been able to contain it.

The main symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, fatigue, chills (sometimes with shaking), body aches, headache, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, nausea, diarrhea. More severe symptoms that should be treated with immediate medical help include severe shortness of breath, ongoing chest pain or pressure, unable to fully wake up, and bluish lips or face.

While anyone can get the virus, there are many factors to consider when determining your risk level for severe illness. The older you are the more at risk you may be for complications or severe symptoms. Additionally, if you have other underlying health issues that may cause a weakened immune system, you might have a more severe case. For a full list of these risk factors, please see the additional resources page.

A cohort consists of any individuals (family members, roommates, etc.) that live in your household and therefore would not be feasible to keep a constant distance. It is recommended that you should not come into contact with anyone outside of your cohort without wearing a mask and keeping six feet apart.

It is recommended to avoid large gatherings or crowds, including restaurants/bars, performances, sporting events, parties, etc. Local guidelines recommend not to leave your house other than to attend work, obtain supplies such as groceries and medicine, or to exercise.

Surgical or cloth face masks provide adequate protection for others as long as it completely covers your mouth and nose. If using a reusable cloth mask, be sure to wash it after every outing. If using disposable masks, be sure to dispose of it after each use. For disposable masks, please snip the ear bands so that it is less of a hazard to wildlife. Please note that wearing a mask provides the most benefit for OTHERS. While it does offer an individual some protection, it is imperative that masks are worn as a way to keep droplets contained and away from other people.

When washing your hands, be sure to use the CDC recommended method: Wet, Lather, Scrub (at least 20 seconds), rinse, and dry with a clean towel. For the full demonstration of proper handwashing, please see the additional resources page.