How can I prevent getting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Right now, the best defense to prevent getting COVID-19 is to follow some of the same steps you would take to prevent getting other viruses, such as the common cold or the flu.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds— especially before eating and preparing food, after using the bathroom, after wiping your nose, and after coming in contact with someone who has a cold.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of viruses from your hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing or sneeze and cough into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash. Wash your hands afterward. Never cough or sneeze into your hands!
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those who have coughs, colds or are sick. Stay home if you are sick.
- If you are prone to sickness or have a weakened immune system, stay away from large crowds of people. Follow the directions of your healthcare authorities especially during outbreaks.
- Clean frequently used surfaces (such as doorknobs and counter tops) with a virus-killing disinfectant.
- Use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Greet people with a friendly gesture instead of shaking hands.
- Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of liquids and exercise if you are able. These steps will strengthen your immune system and enable you to fight off infections easier.
Should I wear a face mask?
The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face coverings in public, especially in places where it’s hard to maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and another person. Cloth face masks are being recommended because we now know individuals with COVID-19 could have mild or no symptoms, while still spreading the virus to others.
The cloth face coverings recommended by the CDC are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.
How deadly is COVID-19?
So far, health officials are seeing mostly mild to moderate infections caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The death rate from COVID-19 compared with other coronavirus outbreaks remains low at this point in time. The death rate from the SARS outbreak was about 10% of the about 8,000 people who were infected with this virus worldwide. The death rate from the MERS outbreak was about 35% in the nearly 2,500 reported cases. So far, the death rate from the COVID-19 virus about 3%. However, this can change. Scientists are still continuing to learn about this virus including how it’s spreading, how quickly it’s spreading, how severe an illness it’s causing and how it might be treated.
RESOURCES
Where can I learn more about COVID-19?
- Cleveland Clinic resources on Preparing for Coronavirus.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus disease.
- World Health Organization Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
- Johns Hopkins University. COVID-19 Tracking Map. Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Where do coronaviruses come from?
Coronaviruses are often found in bats, cats and camels. The viruses live in but do not infect the animals. Sometimes these viruses then spread to different animal species. The viruses may change (mutate) as they transfer to other species. Eventually, the virus can jump from animal species and begins to infect humans. In the case of COVID-19, the first people infected in Wuhan, China are thought to have contracted the virus at a food market that sold meat, fish and live animals. Although researchers don’t know exactly how people were infected, they already have evidence that the virus can be spread directly from person to person through close contact.