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COVID-19 2020

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1. What is novel coronavirus?

The coronavirus is a newly identified virus that has developed into a pandemic around the world.

2. How does the COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads primary between people who are in close contact with one another. The virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes

3. What are the symptoms and complications of COVID-19?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

4. Should I wear a mask?

You need to wear a cloth face covering if you are caring for someone at home who is sick and not able to wear a mask. The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public places.  The recommendation was made after considering recent studies that have shown individuals with the virus who lack symptoms can transmit the virus to others.  It is critical to emphasize that the face covering does not replace social distancing, stay at home measures, and hand washing recommendations.

5. What should I do if someone in my household is quarantined?

If someone in your household has been quarantined at home, all contacts including household members and caregivers should monitor their own health and call their healthcare provider if develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath).

6. Should I be concerned about pets?

To date, the CDC has not received any reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19.

7. What should I do if I am developing the symptoms associated with COVID-19?

Call your healthcare provider or the MA Public Health Department 211 X26

8. Is there a treatment?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should seek medical care to help relieve symptoms

9. Should I be tested for COVID-19?

The MA Department of Public Health has establishing the protocol of whom should be tested and how the testing will be conducted. Call your health Care provider or call the MA Public Health Department 211 X26

10. Is there a vaccine?

There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

11. How can I protect myself?

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public space or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces for your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. Staying home will reduce your risk of becoming sick.

12. Social Distancing

It is important that people maintain a Social Distance of 6 feet between you and other individuals.

13. How can I protect others?

Stay home if you are sick. Use the inside of your elbow to cover coughs and sneezes. Wear a mask if you are sick and are around other people. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks

14. What is the risk of my child becoming sick with COVID-19?

Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.

15. Is it okay for me to donate blood?

In healthcare settings all across the United States, donated blood is a lifesaving, essential part of caring for patients. The need for donated blood is constant, and blood centers are open and in urgent need of donations. CDC encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able, even if they are practicing social distancing because of COVID-19. CDC is supporting blood centers by providing recommendations that will keep donors and staff safe. Examples of these recommendations include spacing donor chairs 6 feet apart, thoroughly adhering to environmental cleaning practices, and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time.

16. Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be spread through food included refrigerated or frozen food?

Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures

17. Who is at higher risk for serious illness form COVID-19?

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. These people who may be at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness, includes:

· Older adults

· Any person with a weakened immune system

· People who have serious underlying medical conditions like:

· Heart disease

· Diabetes

· Lung disease

18. Should I use soap and water or hand-sanitizer to protect against COVID-19?

Hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. 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. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

19. How long does the virus stay alive on surfaces?

A recent study shows that COVID-19 is detectable for around 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel, 24 hours on cardboard and 4 hours on copper.