Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

What You Need to Know!

Symptoms & Testing

Know How it Spreads.

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

Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Symptoms

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.

Watch for symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.^*

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

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

What To Do if You Are Sick.

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.

**Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick.**

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

Stay home except to get medical care.

Stay home: 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.

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Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.

Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.
When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.

Information for Household Members and caregivers for Someone who is Sick.

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.

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Wear a facemask if you are sick.

If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
If you are caring for others: If the person who is sick is not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with the person who is sick should not stay in the same room with them, or they should wear a facemask if they enter a room with the person who is sick.

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 your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with 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 for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Handwashing Tips

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Avoid sharing personal household items.

Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
Wash thoroughly after use: 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.

High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

Disinfect areas with bodily fluids: Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
Household cleaners: Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

Complete disinfection guidance

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Monitor your symptoms.

Seek medical attention: Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).
Call your doctor: Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.
Wear a facemask when sick: Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.
Alert health department: Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate.

Discontinuing home isolation.

Stay at home until instructed to leave: Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low.
Talk to your healthcare provider: The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments.

People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
- If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:

- - You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
    AND
  - other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
    AND
  - at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
- If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
  - You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
    AND
  - other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
    AND
    you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.

In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.

More information is available here.

Additional information for healthcare providers: See CDC’s updated Interim Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Persons Under Investigation for 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Data to inform the definition of close contact are limited. Considerations when assessing close contact include the duration of exposure (e.g., longer exposure time likely increases exposure risk) and the clinical symptoms of the person with COVID-19 (e.g., coughing likely increases exposure risk as does exposure to a severely ill patient). Special consideration should be given to those exposed in health care settings.

COVID-19 Cases in the U.S.

Click these links for 24/7 updated information:

Cases in U.S. Situation Summary

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Latest Updates

Running Essential Errands Added April 6, 2020
Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation Added April 4, 2020
Use Cloth Face Coverings to Slow the Spread Added April 3, 2020

Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready Sunday, March 15, 2020
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surveillance and Containment Measures for the First 100 Patients with COVID-19 in Singapore — January 2–February 29, 2020 Friday, March 13, 2020
Schools & Childcare: Guidance for School Settings Thursday, March 12, 2020
Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools, or Commercial Establishments Safe Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020
Resources for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals Preparing for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020
U.S. CASES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020
Interim Guidance for Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020
Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools, or Commercial Establishments Safe TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020

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How to Prepare

Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community.

Find Local Information

Know where to find local information on COVID-19 and local trends of COVID-19 cases.

Know the Signs & Symptoms

Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptomatic:

Stay home when you are sick

Call your health care provider’s office in advance of a visit

Limit movement in the community

Limit visitors

Take Steps for Those at Higher Risk

Know what additional measures those at higher risk and who are vulnerable should take.

Protect Yourself & Family

Implement steps to prevent illness (e.g., stay home when sick, hand washing, respiratory etiquette, clean frequently touched surfaces daily).

Create a Household Plan

Create a household plan of action in case of illness in the household or disruption of daily activities due to COVID-19 in the community.

Consider 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials. Know how to get food delivered if possible.

Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).

Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events.

Stay Informed About Emergency Plans

Know about emergency operations plans for schools/workplaces of household members.

Click on the links below for more information:

How It Spreads

Protect Yourself

Protect Your Family

Protect Your Home

Manage Anxiety & Stress

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