Q&A on COVID-19 from Mayo Clinic
What exactly is the coronavirus? COVID-19 is a newly identified viral disease in the coronavirus family, but it can be more severe and spreads easily. Diagnosis is difficult because it shares several symptoms with influenza.
How is COVID-19 transmitted?
COVID-19 is thought to spread similarly to influenza. That is, it spreads person to person through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. These droplets can land on surfaces within about 6 feet and can spread to other people after they contact these infected surfaces with their hands and subsequently touch their face.
Can I catch COVID-19 from contact with an object rather than a person?
Yes, you can catch COVID- 19 from an object if the surface of that object has live virus on it. How long the virus can live outside an organism is unknown. Expert estimates range from a few hours to up to nine days, depending on the type of surface, surrounding temperature and environment.
Can a person have COVID- 19 without having symptoms?
Yes. s there a vaccine for COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health is developing a vaccine, but it will not be ready and approved for use for at least a year or more. hat should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?
If you have symptoms of COVID- 19, call your local health care provider or hospital, and ask how best to be evaluated. Do not go to your health care provider or hospital without calling first.
Is Mayo Clinic prepared to handle these COVID-19 cases? Yes, Mayo Clinic is prepared to treat patients with COVID-19. Mayo also is prepared to do so at a pandemic level, if needed. That said, know that Mayo will treat patients as part of a community wide plan in coordination with public health authorities.
How is a patient treated for COVID-19?
The basic premise of preventing disease transmission is to identify patients who show symptoms, isolate those patients from others for appropriate assessment, and inform appropriate staff and authorities for further response. If people appear with symptoms, they will be asked to wear a mask and answer a series of questions about their health and travel. Based on their answers and vital signs, they will be isolated from other patients while COVID-19 test results can be verified. This may take several days.
Patients who test positive for COVID- 19 are isolated and treated. Currently, there
is no antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Specific interventions are taken in more se
vere cases, or with patients with compromised immune systems or complex illnesses.