Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person.
The COVID-19 virus is a new type of coronavirus spreading throughout the world. Other coronaviruses have existed for a long time. They usually first infect humans through animal contact or contaminated meat. Then they become contagious from person-to-person. The exact source of this particular coronavirus, called COVID-19, is not known. But we do know that the first cases were documented in Wuhan, China. The virus has since spread throughout the world, becoming a global pandemic.
COVID-19 symptoms can range from no symptoms at all (lots of people have been found to be completely asymptomatic, though still very contagious) and mild symptoms, to severe illness requiring hospitalization. The specific symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Check out the symptoms section below for more details.
Video courtesy of kurzgesagt.org.
You can become infected by coming into close contact (about 6 feet or two arm lengths) with a person who has COVID-19. COVID-19 is primarily spread from person to person.
You can become infected from respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These tiny droplets can linger in the air for several hours and remain contagious.
You can also get it by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. While the virus stays active in the air for several hours, it can remain active on surfaces for days, with the longest documented example being over two weeks, and most common finding being about three days. The COVID-19 virus' long surface lifetime means it is critical to sanitize all exposed surfaces regularly.
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
Stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others.
Wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth in public settings.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. The virus remains active on surfaces (and therefore can infect anybody who touches the surface) for three to fourteen days, so it's important to sanitize frequently and regularly.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Anyone can have no symptoms or mild to very severe symptoms.
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms and complaints – ranging from headaches, fever, rashes, to loss of the sense of smell - they are not consistent for all people.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Even before symptoms appear, or even if they never appear *(as is true for the large number of asymptomatic carriers of the virus)*, the patient is already contagious. People showing no symptoms may not be as careful about distancing, wearing a mask, etc. and this has resulted in the rapid spread of the virus around the world.
If you have any of these syptoms, please dial 719 to get guidance from the Ministry of Health’s official COVID-19 hotline or click here for our complete list of coronavirus hotlines. If symptoms are relatively mild, focus on social distancing and isolating at home for a period of 14 days or until tested negative for the virus. This is important (even if symptoms are very mild) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to those who are more vulnerable. If symptoms worsen, call 719 before seaking help; they will direct you to the best facility based on availability of beds and services. When isolating, follow these simple guidelines:
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people and pets in your home.
There is no specific treatment for COVID-19, but you can seek medical care to help relieve your symptoms.
If you need medical attention, call ahead. Click here for our list of available coronavirus hotlines.