03/10/2020
What you should know about the new coronavirus
As news about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to evolve, there is still much to learn. While researchers continue to look for answers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that you follow the advice given every flu season.
What can you do?
Take precautions as you would with the normal seasonal flu. There is no vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19 at this time, although many scientists are working around the clock on this. The CDC recommends washing your hands often to stay healthy, especially during these key times when you are likely to get or spread germs:1,2
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
The following hand washing procedures will help reduce your risk of infection:3
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
If you have flu-like symptoms and suspect COVID-19, you can help protect others:4
Seek medical advice – Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office, urgent care, retail clinic, or emergency room. Tell them about your symptoms and any recent travel. If you have life-threatening symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
Stay home while you are sick
Avoid close contact with others
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
If you are well, CDC does not recommend facemasks as protection against COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases. However, CDC said facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the disease to others.5
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory diseases. A novel (in other words, new) coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been identified previously in humans. The “corona” part of the name refers to the crown- or corona-like surface of such viruses as viewed under a microscope.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Patients have reported respiratory illness ranging from mild to severe.6
Why should you care?
In a world that is globally connected, viral outbreaks in one country can impact others. Cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, including in the U.S., with the largest numbers reported so far inside China, according to situation reports from the World Health Organization.7
The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and other countries with high numbers of COVID-19 reports.8
Scientists, government agencies and many others are working to expand scientific knowledge about the new virus and to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.9
To learn more or stay up to date, visit the CDC website, opens new window and check out the CDC’s travel guidance, opens new window. You can also learn more from the World Health Organization, opens new window.
Revised March 6, 2020
https://www.humana.com/health-and-well-being/coronavirus
