COVID-19 FAQ

Coronavirus FAQ

Note: This post was written on March 7, 2020. As of September 3, 2020, there are 18,607 confirmed cases. Please visit Sacramento County’s website for more information.

What is the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The 2019 novel coronavirus is a newly discovered coronavirus that has not been detected before in animals or humans. The origin of the COVID-2019 is not yet known. However, the coronavirus is not new. It is a large group of viruses that are common among humans and animals.

Do not confuse the “coronaviruses” category as there are multiple types of the virus. Strains of human coronaviruses are common, such as the common cold, and cause mild-to-moderate respiratory illnesses every year.

What the symptoms?
Humans with COVID-2019 experience symptoms similar to the flu, such as: fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, and sore throat. The CDC states, “People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea”

How is it diagnosed?
Healthcare providers will assess patients and if it is possible the patient has coronavirus, additional testing will be done. Scientists and healthcare professionals are continuing to learn more about the COVID-19 and treatment may change.

What is the treatment?
Most people will recover on their own. There is no specific treatments or medication for the coronavirus. Hospitals can provide supportive care for those who are severely ill.

What can people do to limit the spread of coronavirus?
Practice preventative actions every day, such as:

Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

Staying home when you are sick or experiencing symptoms like a fever and cough.

Washing your hands before eating, before and after touching your mouth, nose, and eyes, and washing your hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure sufficient cleanliness.

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects frequently touched.

Covering sneezes and coughs with a tissue and throwing away the tissue.

Is the state of California able to test for the COVID-19?
The California Department of Public Health announced that 16 laboratories, including the state’s Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory in Richmond, California, will be able to perform testing for the novel coronavirus. This service will provide more rapid results than currently available and help to inform public health action and medical care for people who may have been exposed to novel coronavirus. Results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently take between two to seven days.

What is California doing to protect the health of the residents?
Sacramento County is closely monitoring the virus outbreak. Currently, as of July 14, 2020, there are 5,938 confirmed cases. Please visit Sacramento County’s website for more information.

What if I have symptoms?
If you have travelled to China recently and become ill with fever, a cough or shortness of breath, call your healthcare provider or local health department. Make sure to tell your provider about your recent travel history to and from China. Please take precaution and practice good hygiene: staying home when showing symptoms and sickness, avoiding close contact with others, and washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

For healthcare providers: if you have patients with the novel coronavirus, they should wear a surgical mask and be placed in an airborne infection isolation room. If that specific room is not available, patients should be placed in a private room with the door closed. Please use eye protection and standard, contact, and airborne precautions.

Additional Information
If you haven’t already, get a flu shot. While there is surveillance on the COVID-19, influenza caused an estimated 61,000 deaths in the 2017-2018 season.