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About Novel Coronavirus 2019

  1. What is known about the clinical severity of COVID-19?

    When infected with COVID-19, some people may exhibit no or minor symptoms, while others may become very sick, or...

  2. When is someone infectious?

    The onset and duration of viral shedding and period of infectiousness for COVID-19 are not yet conclusively known; however,...

  3. How can I get infected?

    COVID-19 spreads when a person with the virus coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Small droplets drift in the air...

  4. Is the coronavirus airborne?

    When people with the COVID-19 infection breathe out, clear their throats, cough, sneeze, speak, or otherwise move air out...

  5. Do people who recover from COVID-19 gain immunity to the novel coronavirus?

    Experts expect that the majority of people who recover from COVID-19 will gain immunity to the novel coronavirus for...

  6. Are there two strains of the COVID-19 virus? I've heard there is an S and an L strain - is one more severe?

    The existence of an S strain and an L strain remains controversial in the scientific community, at least in...

  7. Why aren't we asking only the most vulnerable in our communities to self-isolate instead of the entire population?

    While the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions are most at risk for severe COVID-19, many young,...

  8. Is the virus transmitted better in cold weather because of its fat layer?

    All coronaviruses possess a fat layer as a component of the viral envelope. There is, however, no evidence yet...

  9. Can the virus be transmitted through mosquito bites?

    There is no evidence to suggest so far that this virus can be transmitted through mosquitoes. References https://www.mosquito.org/news/492656/Can-Mosquitoes-Transmit-the-Coronavirus.htm https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/transmission.html...

  10. If someone has a cold or the flu, can he/she still become infected with COVID-19?

    Yes, you can be infected with multiple viruses at once, this is called co-infection. It is currently unknown how...

  11. Can the coronavirus spread through sweat?

    There is no evidence that the virus can be spread through sweat. However, the virus can be transmitted in...

  12. If you are infected again, would the second infection be more serious?

    During viral infection, the rule of thumb is that infection will lead to the development of a memory antibody...

  13. Can COVID-19 cause problems for a pregnancy? If a pregnant woman has COVID-19 during pregnancy, will it hurt the baby?

    We do not know at this time if COVID-19 would cause problems during pregnancy or affect the health of...

  14. What is the risk to pregnant women of getting COVID-19? Is it easier for pregnant women to become ill with the disease? If they become infected, will they be more sick than other people?

    We do not currently know if pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the...

  15. Will the coronavirus survive in the refrigerator or freezer?

    A 2010study used two viruses that are related to the COVID-19 virus to look at the effects of temperature...

  16. When do scientists predict that spread of coronavirus and the number of cases will begin to plateau or decrease?

    Overall, it is difficult to predict when cases will diminish, particularly in the US. Some experts have suggested a...

  17. What is COVID-19?

    The COVID-19 novel coronavirus is a new type of coronavirus that has not been previously identified. Like many emerging...

  18. What happens to the COVID-19 virus when it rains?

    This is related to the assumptions that warmer air temperatures and higher humidity environments will slow the transmission of...

  19. What do I do if I am sick?

    If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and...

  20. How do I know if I am an asymptomatic carrier?

    The only definitive way to know if you have COVID-19 is by getting tested. If you cannot get tested,...

  21. How many people will get sick with COVID-19?

    National and international organizations are working on models to estimate the number of people who will get sick, but...

  22. Can the COVID-19 virus be spread through food, including refrigerated or frozen food?

    Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support...

  23. Is COVID-19 a biological weapon?

    There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 virus is a biological weapon. Scientific evidence suggests the COVID-19 virus...

  24. Was the COVID-19 virus made in a laboratory?

    The COVID-19 virus was not designed in a laboratory. The COVID-19 virus is most closely related (96% identical) to...

  25. Why would someone blame or avoid individuals and groups because of COVID-19?

    People in the U.S. may be worried or anxious about friends and relatives who are living in or visiting...

  26. How can people help stop stigma related to COVID-19?

    People can fight stigma and help, not hurt, others by providing social support. Counter stigma by learning and sharing...

  27. Can someone who has been quarantined for COVID-19 spread the illness to others?

    Quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have...

  28. What is the official name of the novel coronavirus?

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to name the disease caused by the novel coronavirus “COVID-19” and refers...

  29. What is community spread?

    Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure...

  30. Am I at risk for COVID-19 from a package or products shipping from China?

    There is still a lot that is unknown about the newly emerged COVID-19 and how it spreads. Two other...

  31. Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick with COVID-19?

    We are still learning about this virus, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in...

  32. What precautions should be taken for animals that have been recently imported from China?

    Animals imported from China will need to meet CDC and USDA requirements for entering the United States. At this...

  33. Which body fluids can spread infection?

    Very limited data are available about detection of SARS-CoV-2 and infectious virus in clinical specimens. SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been...

  34. What is the survivability of the COVID-19 virus as compared to other viruses?

    While it is difficult to determine exactly how long viruses can stay intact outside the body, since it is...

  35. Will warmer weather reduce the spread of COVID-19?

    There is still much to learn about the COVID-19 virus and experts currently do not know if it will...

  36. Is the novel coronavirus like the common cold?

    There are about four strains of coronavirus that cause about 20% of the cases of common cold. However, the...

  37. How many people have severe symptoms from the coronavirus?

    On 6 March the World Health Organization reported that 80% of infections were mild or showed no symptoms, about...

  38. How are the coronaviruses that cause the common cold different from the COVID-19 virus?

    Unlike the four strains of coronavirus behind about 20% of the cases of common cold, COVID-19 virus can cause...

  39. Can the coronavirus infect fruits or vegetables?

    No, coronaviruses are not known to infect fruits or vegetables. Plant cells are built differently than animal cells, with...

  40. How does the coronavirus affect children?

    The CDC advises that children are no more susceptible to the virus than the general population. Children who are...

  41. Can people who recover from COVID-19 be infected again?

    The immune response to COVID-19 - caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - is not yet fully understood. Patients with...

  42. Where did the coronavirus come from?

    Researchers have found that three quarters of new diseases come from animals. This is because every time a virus...