The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve quickly in the United States and abroad, with new information and new cases confirmed daily. Coronavirus COVID-19 is a respiratory/lung illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that was first discovered in Wuhan, China.

The virus spreads from an infected person to others through:

• The air by coughing and sneezing.
• Close personal contact
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your
  mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

Patients with COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Most people with COVID-19 will have a mild illness, but some people will get sicker and may need to be hospitalized. If you are 60 years or older, are pregnant, or are chronically ill (have lung, heart or kidney disease), contact your physician’s office so that they can monitor your health more closely or test you for COVID-19.

Some people have gotten pneumonia in both lungs, some have gotten hospitalized and a small number have died from COVID-19. People who are older (over 60), are pregnant or have diabetes or existing health-conditions are at higher risk of those complications.

Simple everyday actions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus:

• Practice social distancing. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. This generally means staying six feet (or about two meters) away.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Watch the World Health Organization’s video here.

• Health authorities do not recommend that people who are healthy wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone at home or in a health care facility.

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Monitor your health for fever, cough and shortness of breath for 14 days from your last close contact with the person who has COVID-19. You should not go to work or school, and should avoid public places for 14 days. Communicate the reason for your absence with all necessary personnel.

If you have traveled from an affected area, there may be restrictions on your movements for up to 2 weeks. If you develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, trouble breathing), seek medical advice.

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19 that will cure the virus. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities who have existing medical conditions, including breathing problems, are at increased risk for COVID-19.

Best Buddies Programs have been instructed to:

• Coordinate with their local and state health departments to assess risk and postpone events accordingly.
• Communicate precautions to all participants and remind individuals in the Best Buddies community who are sick to stay home.
• Distribute and share prevention and education materials.
• Coordinate screening protocols to identify individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms.

As with any other public gathering, monitor your health for symptoms. If you feel sick, follow the instructions above.

Create a plan of action to help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community:

• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan, and discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
• Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications, particularly older adults and those with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease.
• Get to know your neighbors and find out if your neighborhood has a website or social media page to stay connected.
• Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
• Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.

For additional information about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your community, click here.