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1. What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by a new virus first identified in Wuhan, China. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has fact sheets (ENGLISH, SPANISH, SIMPLIFIED CHINESE) and also a list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS available to learn more about COVID-19.

For the latest information on the virus from the CDC, visit the CDC information page here.

2. How is COVID-19 spread?

Coronaviruses, like COVID-19, are most often spread through the air by coughing or sneezing, through close personal contact (including touching and shaking hands) or through touching your nose, mouth or eyes before washing your hands.

To help prevent the spread, the best thing you can do is stay home as much as possible – especially if:

• You are sick with COVID-19
• You think you might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms
• You believe you might have COVID-19

You should also follow these common-sense measures to help protect yourself and others from spreading COVID-19 and other viruses:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
• Practice social distancing when you can, staying at least 6 feet away from others.

Learn more from the CDC about how COVID-19 spreads and how to protect yourself and your community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses.

3. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are similar to the flu and typically cause mild to moderate respiratory illness. Common symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath.

4. What should I do if I feel sick?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to the flu. Symptoms are typically mild to moderate, but there have been cases of severe illness and death due to the virus. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

COVID-19 is diagnosed through a laboratory test. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you should call to discuss this with your health care provider. Testing for COVID-19 can only be done in consultation with your health care provider.