STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As more cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, are being confirmed worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are sharing tips on how you can protect yourself from getting the deadly illness.
The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other locations internationally, including the United States. According to WHO, there are more than 95,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide. That includes 22 confirmed cases in New York State.
According to the CDC, there is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease, however, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
Here’s a look at everyday recommendations to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Wash your hands frequently.
WHO suggests you regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash them with soap and water to kill viruses. The preferred method is hand-washing.
The CDC said it’s important to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. And the CDC has guidelines to follow to be sure what you’re doing is actually getting the job done.
If soap and water aren’t 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, the CDC said.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
According to WHO, you should maintain at least a three-foot distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. This is because when someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth, which may contain the virus. If you’re too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the coronavirus, if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
WHO said hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and make you sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, which means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. You should then dispose of the used tissue immediately, WHO said.
Stay home when you are sick.
Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, WHO said, even with mild symptoms, such as a headache and slight runny rose, until you recover. Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
Clean and disinfect surfaces.
The CDC said you should clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas like tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets and sinks.
You should use household cleaners and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)-registered disinfectants that are appropriate to the surface, following label instructions. According to the CDC, labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product, including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation when using the product.
You should also follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask. The agency said people are well aren’t recommended to wear a mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility), according to the CDC.
If you develop fever, cough, and difficult breathing, WHO suggests you seek medical advice promptly, as symptoms may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers, which will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help prevent the possible spread of coronavirus or other viruses.
CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday afternoon that the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in New York has increased to 22.
Of the new cases, eight are in Westchester with mild or no symptoms, two are in New York City and hospitalized, and one case is in Nassau County -- a 42-year-old man who is hospitalized. The announcement comes hours after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the two additional New York City cases -- a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s, which are included among Cuomo’s latest confirmed cases.
Cuomo said the state’s second confirmed coronavirus case is a 50-year-old attorney who works in Manhattan and lives in New Rochelle, N.Y. Several coronavirus cases are tied to the man, including his wife, two of his children, and his neighbor who drove him to the hospital.
Another person who had “close proximity” to the second confirmed coronavirus case in New York tested positive for the virus. Then, the new man’s wife, two sons and daughter also tested positive, Cuomo said.
The first confirmed case in the state was announced Sunday. A 39-year-old health care worker living in Manhattan who traveled to Iran was diagnosed with coronavirus, and officials said the woman has respiratory symptoms that are mild.
The World Health Organization said there are over 95,200 confirmed cases globally. The Washington State Department of Health announced on Tuesday that 10 deaths have been confirmed in the state. One death has been reported in California, the state’s health department said Wednesday.
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