COVID-19

Your guide to coping with COVID-19

Learn how to protect yourself against infection and recognize symptoms, and worst case, find out what to do if you get sick.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Clean and disinfect

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Watch for symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.*

FEVER

Cough

Shortness of breath

Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Where are the latest US cases?

View confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries by state using the map updated daily by the Associated Press. Click here to view.

Steps to prevent illness

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Where is the virus spreading worldwide?

View confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries by state using the map updated daily by the Associated Press. Click here to view.

How fast is the virus spreading?

View this chart showing the growth and decline of COVID-19 inside and outside China. Click here to view.

Source: Centers for Desease Control and Prevention; National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases; Associated Press

Wear a face covering in public

Cover coughs and sneezes

Clean your hands often

Avoid close contact

Stay home if you’re sick

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home as much as possible Put at least six feet between yourself and other people. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. If you live in close quarters, such as a small apartment, or for people who live in the same household with large families, everyone should limit risks. If your household includes one or more vulnerable individuals then all family members should act as if they, themselves, are at higher risk. Adults 65 years and older and people who have serious medical conditions should avoid caring for the children in their household, if possible.

Avoid close contact

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick at the bottom of this page.

Stay home if you’re sick

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Cover coughs and sneezes

If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick. If you are NOT sick: CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Surgical masks or N-95 respirators may be in short supply and should be saved for healthcare workers.

Wear a face covering

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. To disinfect: Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Options include diluting your household bleach, alcohol solutions or other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.

Clean and disinfect

What to do if sick: 10 steps to take

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to mange your health at home and help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care

People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

As much as possible, stay in a specific room. Use a separate bathroom, if available. Limit contact with pets & animals: When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you must care for your pet, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

Call ahead: If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

If you are sick, you should wear a facemask when you are around other people or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you care for others, and a sick person isn’t able to use a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), wear a facemask if you enter a room with a sick person.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Wash hands: Immediately wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands often

Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. Sanitizer: If using hand sanitizer, cover all surfaces of your hands and rub until they feel dry. Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items

Do not share dishes, glasses, cups, utensils, towels, or bedding. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

Clean and disinfect: Practice routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use.

Monitor your symptoms

Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Call your doctor: Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider to tell them you have COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. This will help keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.

Isolating yourself

Persons who are placed under active monitoring or self-monitoring should follow instructions from the local health department. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.

Everyone should:

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Steps to prevent illness

• Fever • Chills • Repeated shaking with chills • Muscle pain • Headache • Sore throat • New loss of taste or smell

People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Cough

Shortness of breath

• Fever • Chills • Repeated shaking with chills • Muscle pain • Headache • Sore throat • New loss of taste or smell