The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) is a novel virus, meaning that it is a new form of the coronavirus that has never been seen before. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, but is not the same coronavirus that causes illnesses such as the common cold.
Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions:
How is COVID-19 spread?
It is believed that the virus is spread person-to-person, meaning that someone who is sick can spread the virus to others.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and shortness of breath.
How can I protect myself?
Avoid contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used if soap and water are not available. Visibly soiled hands should always be washed with soap and water.
As always, make sure you are getting your health information from a reliable source. Reliable sources for health information include the CDC, the World Health Organization and the Rhode Island Department of Health. Below are some links which provide more in-depth information on COVID-19.
https://health.ri.gov/publications/factsheets/novel-coronavirus.pdf
