Currently there is no vaccine for COVID-19, so prevention is the key method to reducing its impacts. The most vulnerable populations to the spread of the disease are seniors and those with chronic medical conditions.
Steps to Prevention
You can prevent the spread of coronavirus, and also the flu, by taking
these steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom. Also wash them before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If there’s no soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch often with a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
What to Do If You Feel Sick
Symptoms of COVID-19 may show up 2-14 days after exposure and may include
fever, cough and shortness of breath. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 report
mild to severe respiratory illness.
- General Population: If you are in generally good health and have a mild illness, stay home and take care of yourself like you would for the flu. If symptoms worsen, call your doctor.
- At-Risk Populations: If you are 65 years or older and/or have other medical problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer and have fever or symptoms, call your doctor.
- Your doctor will help make the decision whether you should get tested for coronavirus. Some public health and commercial labs in Texas are now testing.
Travel Updates
If you plan to take any trips soon—in or outside the U.S.—please always
check the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/info) for guidance, and plan accordingly. The
guidance is changing almost daily.
All updates can be found on the City of Richardson’s COVID-19 news page at www.cor.net/coronavirus.
