It’s a novel virus named for the crownlike spikes that protrude from its surface. The coronavirus can infect both animals and people and can cause a range of respiratory illnesses from the common cold to more dangerous conditions like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.

Illness due to infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness — about 20 percent of people who are infected need hospital care. So, it’s quite normal to worry about how the coronavirus outbreak will affect you and your family.

We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. Secondly, stay informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.

Early information shows that some people are at higher risk of developing serious illness including older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions (or are immunocompromised) like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease or cancer.

If you’re at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

• Stock up on supplies
• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others when you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick
• Limit close contact and wash your hands often
• Avoid crowds, cruise travel and non-essential travel

If there’s an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible. Watch for symptoms and emergency signs. If you get sick, stay home and call your doctor. — CDC People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19

While this virus seems to have emerged from an animal source, it’s now spreading from person-to-person. There’s no reason to think that any animals, including pets, in the United States might be a source of infection with this new virus. At this time, there’s no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread or be infected with coronavirus. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around them.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading coronavirus by taking some simple precautions:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that might be on your hands.
• Maintain at least 6 feet distance between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? 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 can make you sick.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention but call in advance. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
• Keep up-to-date on the latest coronavirus hotspots (cities or local areas where the virus is spreading quickly). If possible, avoid traveling to places — especially if you’re an older person or have diabetes, high blood pressure heart or lung disease. Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.

Protection Measures for People Who are in or Have Recently Visited Areas Where Coronavirus is Spreading

• Follow the guidance outlined above
• ‎Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, low grade fever (100.4 F or above) and slight runny nose, until you recover. If it’s essential for you to have someone bring you supplies or to go out — to buy food, etc. —  you should wear a mask to avoid infecting others. Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow them operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
• ‎If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this 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. Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay home and call your healthcare provider.

Free Virtual Screenings for South Carolinians

The Medical University of South Carolina is offering free virtual screenings for anyone in South Carolina who thinks they may be experiencing coronavirus symptoms. You can book a MUSC Virtual Care Visit and speak to a provider online — using the promo code COVID19. You can also call (843) 792-7000 to access the service by phone. MUSC said the healthcare provider you speak with will determine if you need additional in-person case. The free virtual screenings are available 24-hours-a-day.

Prisma Health is also offering free access to virtual screenings for those who think they may have coronavirus. The online tool prevents patients from having to visit an emergency room or doctor’s office. If you’re experiencing coughing, fever or shortness of breath, schedule a Prisma Health Virtual Visit and use the promo code COVID19.

What is a virtual visit?
If you schedule a virtual visit, don’t expect to receive a positive or negative coronavirus test result. The only way to test for coronavirus right now is to have an in-person test done by a medical professional that is then verified by state and federal officials. However, the online visit could help determine if you (and family, friends or coworkers) should be tested for coronavirus.

What about older patients are those with medical conditions?
Older patients and individuals who have severe underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their healthcare provider early, even if their illness is mild. If you have severe symptoms, such as persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips of face, contact your healthcare provider or emergency room and seek care immediately. Your doctor will determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and whether you should be tested.