COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It has since continued to spread worldwide, including in the United States.

Symptoms may be flu-like with a wide range in severity. Confirmed COVID-19 cases have ranged from little to no symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath

According the CDC, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets from person to person. The spread requires close contact--approximately 6 feet--and can occur when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

COVID-19 can also spread through touching an infected surface or object and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus is spread.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 is to follow all the same basic practices that are important for protecting yourselves from influenza. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these include:

• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash, and washing your hands
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Staying home when you are sick

The CDC and other public health experts do not recommend that people who are well wear face masks as a way to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

• Remain at home for 14 days
• Monitor your health for symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath
• Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day to monitor for a fever (100.4◦/38◦C or higher)
• If you develop symptoms, call your health care provider. Prior to seeking in-person medical care, call ahead, before going to drop-in urgent care sites or the Emergency Room
• Practice “social distancing” by avoiding public places where close contact with others may occur and large groups of people congregate
• Practice good hand hygiene with frequent hand-washing
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and practice good cough etiquette (cough into your sleeve or elbow, not your hands)
• Do not share personal items
• Decline requests from visitors during the quarantine period
• There are no recommended restrictions for other members of your household during the 14 day period as long as you continue to have no symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath