Officials and experts at WVU Medicine are working closely with local, state, and federal authorities to monitor the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of March 3, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at WVU Medicine, in West Virginia, or the region.
The general risk of exposure to COVID-19 remains very low in the United States.
As concerns grow for spread of respiratory illnesses, it is important to know how to protect yourself and others.
COVID-19, influenza, and other viral respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough (pertussis), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are all spread by coughing, sneezing, and unclean hands.
The single best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses are by using good health habits, such as:
- Performing hand hygiene often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. Clean hands save lives.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or the bend of your elbow, not your hands.
- Using the nearest waste receptacle to dispose of the tissue after use.
- Wearing a surgical mask, if you have a respiratory illness. Patients within a hospital or clinic setting should be provided with surgical masks when they have respiratory illness. Patients should not be given N95 respirators, as they have not been fit tested. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthy people do not need to wear a surgical mask.
Healthcare workers caring for patients with most viral respiratory illnesses will observe Droplet Precautions (i.e., wearing a surgical mask for close contact), in addition to Standard Precautions. These precautions should be maintained until it is determined that the cause of symptoms is not an infectious agent that requires Droplet Precautions. Airborne Precautions should be adhered to for patients with confirmed viral infections, such as MERS, SARS, and COVID-19.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill.
- Keeping your distance from others, when you are sick, to protect them from getting sick, too.
- Staying home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and running errands when you are sick.
- Getting vaccinated. It is never too late to receive the influenza vaccine. Vaccines will not only protect you, but they will protect others around you.
- Taking care of your body. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the latest updates on COVID-19.
