The coronavirus outbreak has sickened scores of people across the world, including in the U.S. Learn more about the illness and how you can stay safe.
Editor’s note: This article was published on January 27, 2020. COVID-19 information and recommendations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website or view our most recent COVID-19 blog posts.
An outbreak of a respiratory illness has sickened scores of people across the United States and the world.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, called COVID-19.
The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s website.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses commonly found in animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats. On rare occasions, such as the MERS and SARS outbreaks, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people.
What does this mean for you and your family?
The first case in the United States was announced Jan. 21. There have been over 11.1 million confirmed cases of this virus reported in the U.S. as of November 17, according to the CDC.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms or has been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to have had the virus should seek medical care if they are ill.
Symptoms
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Click here to read more from the CDC about the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
How to protect yourself
WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Stay home when you’re sick, and avoid contact with people who are already sick.
- Wear a mask when near others.
- Sanitize commonly-used surfaces and objects.
- Avoid unnecessary travel and large social gatherings.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practice proper cough etiquette.
- If you become ill with flu or coronavirus symptoms, call your doctor right away.
“Much like other illnesses we see during this time of year, practicing good hygiene is essential,” said Kate Maguire, Marshfield Clinic Health System Director of Infection Prevention. “If you don’t feel well, stay home from work or school.”
Click here to learn more about how you can protect yourself and others.
Resources:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Marshfield Clinic Coronavirus Updates
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Wellness Team
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Where is the best place to be tested for Covid -19?
Hello Vicki,
Thank you for reaching out. If you are within the Marshfield Clinic Health System service area, we offer COVID-19 testing at many of our locations. To find the location nearest you and to get information on next steps & contact numbers, you can click here: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/covid-19-temporary-location-changes
Thank you and I hope that helps,
Jake
Approx how many who get covid-19 will end up in hospital?
Hi James,
Due to how fast the situation is developing, a number is difficult to provide. We recommend reviewing the CDC website to stay up to date: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Thanks,
Jake
If the virus spreads locally how prepared is the hospital system for quarantine patients and or respirators for severe cases?
Hello Margaret,
This is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk assessment may change daily. Marshfield Clinic Health System is not treating this lightly and are prepared for potential COVID-19 patients.
The key behind all of our preparations is to make sure that we can safely treat our patients while protecting our physicians and staff. To do that, Marshfield Clinic Health System is working in cooperation with local health departments, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prepare for, and if necessary, treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
A COVID-19 taskforce has determined how we handle operations, personal protective equipment, staffing management, patient and visitor management, education and communication at all of our hospitals and clinics.
Daily communication among staff provides the latest COVID-19 updates and best practices on helping potential COVID patients. Practice drills are being performed across the System to assess our readiness to serve our patients and staff. We have a procedure in place to care for the COVID-19 patients in order to keep our well patients healthy and safe in an ambulatory setting.
Thanks,
Jake