The novel corona virus AKA COVID-19 is a corona virus. Corona viruses are a family of viruses that cause mild illnesses like a cold, to more serious illnesses like pneumonia. Infections with this new virus have been reported in many countries, including the U.S. The virus is likely to be spread from person to person via droplets. Commonly reported symptoms include fever, cough or shortness of breath. Most people (80%) with COVID-19 will feel like they have a bad cold or the flu. Some people will require hospitalization, mainly the elderly or those who have other health conditions.
What should New Yorkers do?
New Yorkers should take certain precautions:
Get the flu shot—it’s not too late. Although the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19, it will help prevent the flu which has similar symptoms to this coronavirus.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands).
Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
If you feel sick, stay home.
If you have fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who has recently traveled to any of those areas, notify your doctor.
If you have these symptoms, but no travel history, stay home and call your doctor.
If you need connection to a health care provider, call 311.
Hospital staff will not ask about immigration status. Receiving health care is not a public benefit identified by the public charge test.
At this time, New Yorkers do not need to:
Wear a face mask if you are not sick. Face masks are only recommended if directed by a health care provider.
Panic- if you are experiencing stress or feel anxious, contact NYC Well at 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-
9355) or text “WELL” to 65173. NYC Well is a confidential help line that is staffed 24/7 by
trained counselors who can provide brief supportive therapy, crisis counseling, and connections
to behavioral health treatment, in more than 200 languages.
The NYC Health Department may change recommendations as the situation evolves.
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