Since this virus is new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working hard to learn as much as possible about this new virus, so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. The CDC considers this virus to be a serious public health concern.

Health experts believe the virus probably spreads from animals to humans and from person to person. It’s not clear yet how easily the virus spreads from person-to-person.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:

• Wear a cloth face covering over your mouth and nose in public.
• 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
• Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• CDC recommends that travelers avoid all non-essential travel.

Information to date suggests that COVID-19 causes mild-to-moderate illness and symptoms like the flu, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

If you feel sick with fever, cough or trouble breathing; OR you develop symptoms within 14 days of traveling, you should:

• Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about any travel you may have recently done, and your symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Stay home, except for seeking medical care.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Contact your local health department.

This is an emerging, rapidly changing situation. For questions please contact the New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

We encourage you to keep up to date about COVID-19, its treatment and prevention by visiting the following websites:

• CDC’s dedicated COVID-19 website
• NYSDOH’s dedicated COVID-19 website
• Niagara County DOH dedicated COVID-19 website
• New York State Center for School Health website