WHAT IS COVID-19?
The virus at the center of the outbreak, COVID-19, is part of a large family of different coronaviruses that may cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses. Many people have had some type of coronavirus in their life, such as common cold.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said COVID-19 symptoms, which generally appear two to 14 days after exposure, include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Most people who become sick do not require hospitalization, but older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to require more advanced care. While the global death toll has risen past 3,400, more people have now recovered from the virus than are sickened by it. There are more than 104,000 confirmed cases, with nearly 90,000 in Asia. The number of U.S. infections is at 400, scattered across about half the states.
HOW TO PREVENT COVID-19 AND OTHER ILLNESSES
The risk remains low in Ohio, with no confirmed cases found in the state. In general, good prevention measures are also the same steps that should be taken to reduce the risk of getting many other common illnesses such as the flu, which has already hospitalized more than 8,500 Ohioans this season, such as:
■ Stay home when you are sick
■ Avoid contact with people who are sick
■ Eat well-balanced meals and get adequate sleep
■ Wash hands often with water and soap for 20 seconds or longer
■ Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry hands
■ Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces
■ Clean and disinfect “high touch” surfaces often, such as door handles
■ Call before seeing your doctor
■ Experts say the flu shot is a good match this season and it could also help prevent people from getting an illness with symptoms that could be confused with COVID-19.