COVID BASICS

Although there is still much we don’t know about COVID-19, here are some of the basics we’ve learned so far, based on information from the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

WHAT IS COVID-19? COVID-19 (CoronaVirus Disease 2019) is a new strain of coronavirus that causes a respiratory illness ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia. The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, and a decrease in smell or taste. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Most people with COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms. Those most likely to suffer severe illness are people older than age 60 and those with medical conditions like heart and lung disease or diabetes. Children and adolescents appear to be less likely to experience severe illness. Some people who get infected will have no symptoms at all.

HOW IS COVID-19 SPREAD? The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mostly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

HOW LONG DOES COVID-19 SURVIVE ON SURFACES? Studies show the virus that causes COVID-19 may last on surfaces for up to 72 hours depending on the surface. That's why it is so important to not

touch your face, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often, and wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. However, surface contact is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

CAN I GET COVID-19 FROM FOOD, WATER, PETS, OR IMPORTED GOODS? There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through food, drinking water, pools, hot tubs, or imported goods/ packages. Although a small number of pets have been reported as infected with the vi- rus (likely from people), the risk of infection from pets to people is considered low.

WHAT ABOUT PREGNANCY AND NEWBORNS? Pregnant women might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, so they should make sure to get adequate prenatal care and discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider. Newborns can be infected with COVID-19 after being in close contact with an infected person, but severe illness at that age has been rare. Breast milk provides protection against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for most infants. It is not likely that breastfeeding passes the virus from an infected mother to her child.

ARE THERE ANY MEDICINES TO PREVENT OR TREAT COVID-19? Scientists are working to develop a vaccine and are conducting studies to determine if medications already on the market could be effective in treating COVID-19. Most people get better on their own and treat symptoms by drinking lots of fluids, getting plenty of rest, and using over-the-counter medications. DO YOU HAVE IMMUNITY ONCE YOU GET COVID-19? There is much we don't know about COVID-19, including how much immunity a person will have after being infected with the virus.

WHAT IF I GET EXPOSED TO COVID-19? Being exposed means having close con- tact (within 6 feet) with someone who has COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer. You’ll be asked to quarantine for 14 days if that hap- pens, although exceptions are made for es- sential workers, services, and activities, using extra precautions. Public health departments do contact tracing when someone tests pos- itive for COVID-19. They will contact every person they feel may have been exposed to the virus. If they don't contact you, it means you were most likely not exposed.

HOW CAN I GET TESTED? You can get tested for COVID-19 if you have any of these symptoms: fever, cough, short- ness of breath, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in smell or taste. Con- tact your doctor or the phone number listed below for the nearest testing location: ST. GEORGE: Intermountain 400 E. Campus (call 844-442-5224) ST. GEORGE: Test Utah Site (complete screening at testutah.com) CEDAR CITY: Instacare (call 844-442-5224) KANAB: Kane County Hospital (call 435-644- 5811, Dr.’s order required) BEAVER: Beaver Valley Hospital (call 435- 438-7100) MILFORD: Milford Valley Memorial Hospital (call 435-387-2411) PANGUITCH: Garfield Memorial Hospital (call 844-442-5224) ESCALANTE: Kazan Memorial Clinic (call 435-826-4374)

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You may also be approved for testing if you were exposed but don’t have symptoms, although you may be asked to wait several days after exposure to do so, which reduces the chances of a false negative. The COVID-19 PCR test uses a thin swab that is inserted into the nasal cavity to get the sample, which is then sent to the state lab for processing. You will be notified of results within 2-5 days and should quarantine in the meantime. Insurance usually covers the testing and there is no charge if you are uninsured. A newer method called “antigen” testing, which can give results in minutes, should be more available in the near future.

WHAT IS ANTIBODY TESTING? Antibody (or serum) testing is a blood test that may be able to indicate if you were exposed to COVID-19 in the past. A positive result does not guarantee immunity and they are not always accurate. Antibody testing is mainly used for research purposes.

WHAT IF I GET SICK OR TEST POSITIVE? If you tested positive and had symptoms you should stay isolated from other people until you have been fever-free and your symptoms are gone for at least 3 days and it has been at least 10 days since you first got sick. If you tested positive but never had symptoms, you can stop self-isolation 10 days after you tested positive. Everyone who lives in your house should quarantine for 14 days after they were last around you (self-isolation protects others if you are positive/sick but not ill enough to be hospitalized; quarantine protects others in case you might be infectious until enough time has passed to know either way). If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19, you should: • Stay home unless you need medical care. • Try to stay in a different room and use a different bathroom than other people in your house. If this is not possible, stay at least 6 feet away from other people and wear a mask. • Clean surfaces that are touched often. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. • Wash your hands with soap and water right after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. If you do not have soap or water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING? Social distancing is vital during a pandemic because it slows the spread of COVID-19. Avoiding crowds protects you and your family. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from people outside your household.

WHAT ABOUT WEARING A MASK? It is recommended that you wear a face covering (that has at least two layers) in public settings where people are present, especially when there is the possibility of being within 6 feet of others, mainly to help protect others in case you are infected. Recently, a team of researchers from Brigham Young University reviewed over 115 independent studies on the science behind

face coverings related to COVID-19. Here is the executive summary of their findings: 1. In the first few months of the pandemic, there was scientific uncertainty about the usefulness of public masking. Conflicting guidance was given by several official sources. 2. There is now convincing evidence from multiple controlled experiments and field observations that wearing masks reduces the transmission of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and the public. Most of this evidence is COVID-19 specific and has emerged in the past few months. 3. Masks prevent infected people from spreading the virus to oth- ers by trapping the respiratory droplets (tiny moisture particles) that are produced when we cough, speak, and breathe. Cloth masks can stop 90% or more of the dis- persal of droplets carrying the vi- rus. There is some evidence that cloth masks also protect the wear- er from infection, though this is less certain. 4. Masks are highly safe, with only minor and uncommon side ef- fects. In addition to many medical studies, public masking has been proven safe among children, adults, and the elderly in cultures where this practice has long been common. However, some sensitive individuals should not wear masks, such as those with severely compromised respiratory systems and individuals who cannot remove or adjust their own masks

(children under 2 and people with severe disabilities). 5. Researchers from hospitals, uni- versities, the private sector, and government agencies have con- cluded that masks could be one of the most powerful and cost-effec- tive tools to stop COVID-19 and accelerate the economic recovery.

There is universal agreement, how- ever, that masking alone will not be enough to stop the pandemic.

Masking is most effective when combined with physical distanc- ing, frequent hand-washing, rapid testing, and coordinated contact tracing. (Used with permission. Link to original study: pws.byu.edu/covid19-and-masks)

WHERE DO I FIND RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19? Many rumors related to COVID-19 circulating on social media are false or contain misinformation. Reputable health organizations are a good source of information, including the following: SOUTHWEST UTAH PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT: daily updates on local cases and trends can be found at swuhealth.org and on Facebook at swuhealth. UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: statewide data with current updates and guidelines (coronavirus.utah. gov). CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION (CDC): National data and updated information on all aspects of the pandemic (cdc.gov/coronavirus) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO): Global status of the pandemic (covid19.who.int)