COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Coronaviruses like COVID-19 are most often spread through the air by coughing or sneezing, through close personal contact (including touching and shaking hands) or through touching your nose, mouth or eyes before washing your hands. Click here to learn how to protect yourself.

Possibly, if you touch a surface with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. However, this is not likely to be the main way the virus spreads. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

While COVID-19 and influenza are both infectious respiratory illnesses and have some similar symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. While both the flu and COVID-19 may be transmitted in similar ways (airborne, meaning tiny droplets remaining in the air could cause disease in others even after the ill person is no longer near), there is no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Doctors and scientists are working on estimating the mortality rate of COVID-19, but at present, present indications are that it has a higher mortality rate than the flu. Scientists are still researching associated morbidities from COVID-19 that generally do not occur after the flu.

The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings or masks, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus. Click here for CDC guidance on how to select, wear, and clean your mask.

Health officials believe hand sanitizer is effective to prevent COVID-19, if used properly. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. But if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in common areas, such as doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, tables, desks, toilets, sinks, hard-back chairs. First, clean dirty surfaces with detergent or soap and water. Disinfect surfaces with a diluted household bleach solution (1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water), alcohol solutions of 70%+ alcohol or EPA-registered household disinfectants. Use gloves or wash hands thoroughly after cleaning. 

Physical distancing or maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet away from other people who are not from your household is recommended in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Physical distancing should be practiced in combination with other preventative actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask over your mouth and nose, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, and frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within 6 feet) for a prolonged period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. Recent studies indicate people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19. Because people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay at least six feet away from others when possible, even if you – or they – do not have any symptoms. Physical distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

These are protective measures used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among people who may have been exposed.

Quarantine is for people who were exposed to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 but are not experiencing symptoms. Contact your doctor if you are unsure if you should self-quarantine.

Isolation separates people who are sick from those who are well.

The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings or masks, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus. Click here for CDC guidance on how to select, wear, and clean your mask.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Read the CDC’s information for people at increased risk and other people who need to take extra precautions.

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

• Cough
• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, contact your primary care provider for evaluation. If you don’t have a primary care provider, call a local urgent care center or hospital emergency room and ask for guidance on how to be evaluated for COVID-19.

If you have had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more cumulatively over a 24 hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19, you should begin quarantine at the same time and continue for 14 days after the last contact with the positive person. If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. You should wait to be tested for COVID-19 for 5-7 days after the first contact. If the result is positive, you may return to normal activities after your 10 day isolation period has ended. If the result is negative, you need to continue to quarantine until it has been 14 days since contact with the positive person.

COVID-19 can be spread by an infected individual before they have symptoms, or by an infected individual who does not have symptoms. More on how COVID-19 spreads is available from the CDC.

Most people with illnesses due to coronavirus recover on their own. There are no specific treatments for COVID-19, but treatments to bring down fever or alleviate other symptoms may help. For people who become severely ill, hospitals can provide care. There is more to be learned about COVID-19 as the situation continues to evolve, and treatment options may change over time. Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Click here to find out whether you should be tested, what you should do after being tested, and to see testing opportunities.

If your symptoms are mild, you can ride out your illness while isolating at home from others.

Contact tracing has been used for decades by state and local health departments to slow or stop the spread of infectious diseases. Contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by:

• Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
• Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested
• Asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.

Contact tracers will NOT ask you for:

• Money
• Social security number
• Bank account information
• Salary information
• Credit card numbers

Discussions with health department staff are confidential. This means your personal and medical information will be kept private and only shared with those who may need to know, like your health care provider.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, your name will not be shared with those you came in contact with. The health department will only notify people you were in close contact with that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Not being truthful or not providing information to Public Health, limits Public Health’s ability to keep others safe and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Click here to learn about what the CDC has determined about COVID-19 and animals.