Human coronaviruses disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified before the pandemic. It was the seventh coronavirus known to infect humans and is believed to have been transmitted from an infected animal to a human host carrier. COVID-19 continues to be monitored and studied to understand its long-term effects and prevent future outbreaks.

Symptoms range from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• 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

Emergency warning signs are:

• Trouble breathing
• Consistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Color changes in lips or face

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to this virus. Such as avoid crowds and closed vented areas. Additionally, get vaccinated and stay up to date on boosters.

Everyday actions to stop the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Wash your hands
• Use sanitizer with at least 60% rubbing alcohol
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Distance yourself from other people (6 feet social distance), especially if you are at high risk
• Stay home when you are sick

• CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC – COVID Data Tracker
• COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) – COVID-19