The COVID-19 situation, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus (nCoV), continues to evolve. Although we are uncertain how this will affect New York City, there are things we should do to keep ourselves healthy, and to know when to seek medical attention. We recommend doing the following.
Steps to protect yourself against the coronavirus
- Protect yourself and keep others healthy by practicing proper infection prevention. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available use alcohol-based rubs. Make sure to keep rubbing hands until the alcohol-based rub has dried up.
- Practice proper cough etiquette by coughing or sneezing into the upper arm or sleeve, or tissue. Again, wash hands after coughing or sneezing, and wash hands prior to touching your face, nose, mouth or eyes.
- It is still flu season, and one way of protecting yourself is by getting vaccinated for the flu from your medical provider or even a nearby pharmacy.
- If you are having a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, or muscle aches without fever, please stay at home until there are no more symptoms.
- If you are having runny nose, congestion, sore throat, or muscle aches or have fever (which is 100.4 F on a thermometer), please stay at home and contact your medical provider for further advise.
- If you are having fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, please go to the nearest Emergency Department (ED) as soon as possible (ASAP); if you have to China in the past 14 days or have had close contact with someone suspected to have COVID-19, please alert the ED staff.
