What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus and a member of the coronavirus family which includes SARS and MERS (“The Species Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus,” 2020).
According to the CDC, COVID-19 is characterized by a number of signs and symptoms including 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 and diarrhea.
As with any virus, SARS-CoV-2 is always changing through mutations. As mutations occur, variants occur, and depending on how the virus is transmitted, those variants can emerge and can disappear, but they can also persist. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been documented in the US and globally.
Click here to learn more about SARS-CoV-2 variants.
How to Protect Yourself
The best way to prevent COVID is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you’ve been in a public place, coughed or sneezed. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always use soap and water if accessible.
Avoid Close Contact
Maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet between you and people outside of your household.
Wear a Mask
Wearing a mask (over nose and mouth) reduces the spread of droplet and aerosol transmission of COVID-19. Wearing masks in public settings around people who do not live in your household or when you can not stay more than 6 feet apart. Click here to learn about which mask you should wear and how to take care of it.
Get Vaccinated
Authorized COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from COVID-19. Click here to see more information on the different COVID-19 vaccines.
Disinfect Commonly Touched Surfaces
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them with soap and water before disinfecting.