Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

What is coronavirus?

• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They are estimated to cause about a third of all cases of the common cold.
• The most common forms can cause mild to moderate illness in people, while other forms circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats.

What is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before.
• COVID-19 is not caused by the same coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. However, it is in the same family of viruses.
• Because this is a new virus, there are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how it is transmitted between people, and other specifics of the virus. More information will be provided when it is available.

What was the source of this outbreak?

• Public health officials and partners are working hard to identify the source of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China, reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting the virus likely emerged from an animal source.
  • SARS, another coronavirus that emerged, came from civet cats, while MERS, another coronavirus that emerged to infect people, came from camels. Officials are trying to determine if something similar happened with COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• According to CDC, patients with confirmed COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

• Some patients have had other symptoms including muscle aches, headache, sore throat, or diarrhea.
• Based on other coronaviruses, the CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
• Symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses that are circulating, such as influenza, so experiencing these symptoms alone does not necessarily mean you need to be tested for COVID-19. Additional criteria will help your health care provider decide if you should be tested, such as:
  • If you have history of recent travel (within past 14 days) from an affected geographic area. Affected geographic areas currently include China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea (continue to check CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel for updated affected geographic areas).
  • If you had close contact with any confirmed person within the past 14 days of symptom onset.
  • If you are hospitalized acute respiratory illness or pneumonia without another explanation (e.g., influenza)

How does COVID-19 spread?

This virus is thought to have emerged from an animal source but is now able to spread from person-to-person.

• It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It’s not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person.
• Patients who have been identified with COVID-19 in the United States have traveled to an area in China where the virus is circulating or have had contact with a known case.

What to do if you suspect you have COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

• Stay home except to get medical care
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Avoid sharing personal household items
• Wash your hands often
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day
  • This document has a list of products that are effective in killing COVID-19: https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf
• Monitor your symptoms

 Current situation

• Health officials with New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)and World Health Organization (WHO) are monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.
• Up to date information about reported and suspect cases of COVID-19 can be found at the following links:
  • New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH): COVID-19 Updates – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
  • The Center for Disease Control (CDC): COVID-19 Updates – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19 /index.html

• We are keeping lines of communication open with health care providers around the county with current recommendations for screening and testing for COVID-19.
• Healthcare providers were instructed to alert us if a person with recent travel to an affected geographic area begins to exhibit respiratory symptoms.
• Systems and processes are in place to monitor travelers for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Plans are in place for responding to a case(s) of COVID-19 in Salem County.
• We are reaching out to community organizations to provide information and answer questions.
• The Salem County Department of Health website will be continuouslyupdated as new information is distributed to us by the CDC and NJ Department of Health.

What you should do

STAY INFORMED – The CDC is updating its website daily with the latest information and advice for the public. (www.cdc.gov/ncov)

TAKE EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS that are recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
• Think about backup plans for child care if parents, children, or a child care provider is sick.
• Think about necessary items to have at home, including prescription medicines (check your refill dates), and non-prescription medications, such as fever-reducing medications.
• While it is less likely in a mild to moderate outbreak that we would see shortages of food in stores, health officials suggest that people gradually build up at-home supplies of non-perishable foods and water over the course of the next few weeks. This may help make it easier to stay home if you or a family member becomes sick, or if you want to avoid sick people during more intense waves of transmission at various times in a given community.
• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
• Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
• Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them, for personal reference. Get help accessing electronic health records.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.

For list of the CDC suggested cleaning products, see link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/cleaning-disinfection.html

PREPARE

What you should not do

• DO NOT travel to certain geographical areas that are restricted due to the COVID-19. See Link for updated list: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html 
• DO NOT use facemasks unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider. The CDC does not recommend the use of facemasks for the general U.S. public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• DO NOT show prejudice to people of Asian descent, because of fear of this new virus. Do not assume that someone of Asian descent is more likely to have COVID-19. All persons in the U.S. – including those of Asian descent – who have not traveled to China or been in contact with someone with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the last 14 days are at low risk of becoming sick.

Information for Travelers on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

People Planning to Travel

Review travel recommendations posted on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel (CDC) if you are planning to travel, and keep an eye on the news for updates on this evolving situation.

• Travel Notices- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices (CDC)
• Travel Frequently Asked Questions- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/faq (CDC)

Travel from Affected Countries

For updated list of current travel restrictions by country, see the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the following destinations. Entry of foreign nationals from these destinations has been suspended:

• China
• Iran
• South Korea
• Italy

The CDC recommends that older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions consider postponing travel to the following destinations:

• Japan

Travelers should practice usual precautions at the following destination:

• Hong Kong

Travel from Other Destinations with Community Spread of COVID-19

Travelers should review the information for the country they traveled to for recommendations on what to do if they’ve traveled to that country in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

Please see link  for daily updated traveling restrictions/ revised list of countries and geographical areas (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

DOWNLOAD THE GRAPHIC BELOW AS A PDF

FOR EVERYONE

➤ Currently there are no vaccines available to prevent COVID-19.

Steps you can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent coronavirus:

• Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid contact with others
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

• See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy (CDC) –  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19 /specific-groups/pregnancy-faq.html

FOR CHILDREN

• See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Children (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19 /specific-groups/children-faq.html

FOR SENIORS

DOWNLOAD THE GRAPHIC BELOW AS A PDF

FOR DISABLED INDIVIUALS

• Guidance for Individuals and Families of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PDF)
• Salem County- Coronavirus Guide for People with Disabilities

Tips to stay healthy: American Sign Language Video

Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

• Mental Health and Coping (CDC)
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
• Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Guidance for Health Professionals

Interim guidance from NJDOH and CDC for health care professionals on human cases of COVID-19. Check the guidance regularly as updates are posted when new information is available.

• Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating Persons Under Investigation and Asymptomatic Close Contacts of Confirmed Cases at Their Home or Non- Home Residential Setting (CDC) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_professionals.shtml
• Guidance for Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with COVID-19 (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html
• What healthcare personnel should know about caring for patients with confirmed  possible COVID-19 (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/caring-for-patients.html
• “Ask for a Mask” (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_professionals.shtml#3
• Guidance for risk assessment of healthcare personnel potential exposure (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html

Guidance for Extended Care Facilities and Systems

• Preparation and guidance materials for facilities, including long-term care CDC: Resources for Healthcare Facilities (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/
• What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/caring-for-patients.html
• Behavioral Health and Emergency Preparedness (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_professionals.shtml

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

• CDC: Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States Guidance for EMS related to COVID-19. – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html

What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know About COVID-19

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-law-enforcement.html

We understand staff, parents, and students may have questions and concerns about the novel (new) coronavirus disease, now called COVID-19, particularly if you have staff or students with ties to or recent travel to a country with a COVID-19 outbreak.

The guidance below is intended to help administrators of public and private childcare programs and K-12 schools prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff.

See the following NJDOH and CDC guidance for additional information and resources:  (Links)

For Child Care/Schools

• New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care and K-12 Schools (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml
• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-for-schools.html

For Colleges and Universities

New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Information for Colleges and Universities (NJDOH) –  https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml

Preventing Workplace Exposures and Planning Considerations

All employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illness and lower the impact of COVID-19 in their workplace in the event of an outbreak in the US. The severity of illness or how many people will fall ill from COVID-19 is unknown at this time. If there is evidence of a COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., employers should plan to be able to respond in a flexible way to varying levels of severity and be prepared to refine their business response plans as needed.

The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19.

• Information for Businesses and Employers (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
• COVID-19: Information for schools and business (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml
• Risk Exposure for Coronavirus (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/2019nCoV_InterimExpCateg2019ncov.pdf
• Non-Essential Construction Projects and Requirements on Essential Retail business and Industries to Limit the Spread of COVID-19
  https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200408e.shtml
  
• Additional Mitigation Requirements on NJ Transit, Private Carriers, and Restaurants to Limit the Spread of COVID-19
  https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200411b.shtml
  

Early detection, prevention, and control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on ships is important to protect the health of travelers on ships and to avoid transmission of the virus by disembarking passengers and crew members who are suspected of having COVID-19.

See the following CDC guidance for additional information and resources:

• Guidance for ships managing suspected coronairus (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/recommendations-for-ships.html

Materials and Resources on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19

Print materials

• What you need to know (CDC) –https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
• What to do if you’re sick (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf
• Stop the spread of germs poster (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf
• Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 poster (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf
• The CDC Protects and prepares communities (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/infographic-cdc-protects-508.pdf

Links to Language Translations

• COVID-19: Fact Sheets Translations (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_community.shtml
• COVID-19: Fact Sheets Translations (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html