General Coronavirus Information & Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes (at this time) the symptoms of COVID-19 may appear as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. This information is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses. Reported illnesses range from mild symptoms to severe illness and death and include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. 

How Coronavirus 2019 is Spread

Current understanding (February 2020) of how coronavirus 2019 is spread is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. 

Coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. 

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).  
• Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes (this is why it is vital that anyone coughing or sneezing do so into tissue or their elbow). These droplets can land into the mouth, nose, or eyes of people who are nearby. 

However, it may be possible that a person can get Coronavirus 19 by touching surfaces or objects that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. 

Preventing Coronavirus

The CDC recommends everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as Coronavirus:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow vs. your hand (you can spread germs when touching items after coughing or sneezing into your hand).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
• Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. 

• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases including Coronavirus. 
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of Coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. 

• Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds before eating, blowing your nose, coughing, and sneezing. If soap and water is not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

What to Do if You Become Sick

Seek emergency care right away if you have: trouble breathing, pain or pressure in your abdomen or chest, sudden dizziness, confusion, and severe vomiting. 

Treatment for Coronavirus

Currently (February 2020) there is no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus 2019. Clinical trials to treat Coronavirus are currently underway but there are no specific approved treatments by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Interim Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus 2019

Interim guidance from the CDC is based on what is currently known about Coronavirus 2019. It is important to monitor the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV) as they update guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. 
 

Additionally, to prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, use only the guidance described to determine risk of Coronavirus 2019. Do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin, and be sure to maintain confidentiality of people with confirmed coronavirus infection. 

Recommended strategies for employers to use now include: 

• Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:

• Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are fever free (less than 100.4 F) for at least 24 hours without use of a fever reducing medication. 
• Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner. 


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• Separate sick employees:

• The CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. 

• Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees:

• Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene around the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen. 
• Provide tissues and no-touch trash cans for use by employees.
• Instruct employees to clean their hands with alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
• Provide soap and water and alcohol based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.

• Perform routine environmental cleaning:

• Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. 
• Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (i.e. doorknobs, keyboards, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use. 

• Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps:

• Check the CDC’s Travelers Health Notices https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travelfor the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which they will travel.
• Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting to travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
• Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed. 

• Additional measures in response to currently occurring sporadic importations of Coronavirus 19:

• Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with Coronavirus 19 should notify their supervisor and refer to the CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure. 
• If an employee is confirmed to have Coronavirus 19 infection, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to Coronavirus 19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed Coronavirus 19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure. 

For more information on Coronavirus 19, you can call the CDC Hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or email questions to [email protected].

Additional Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019

https://www.ready.gov/pandemic

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/what-are-epidemics-pandemics-outbreaks#3
 

This information Courtesy of Catholic Mutual. (revised 2/20)