Coronavirus COVID-19 is a lung illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that was first discovered in Wuhan, China. 

Patients with COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath 

Most people with COVID-19 will have a mild illness, but some people will get sicker and may need to be hospitalized. If you are 60 years or older, are pregnant, or are chronically ill (have lung, heart or kidney disease), contact your physician’s office so that they can monitor your health more closely or test you for COVID-19. 

The virus spreads from an infected person to others through: 

• The air by coughing and sneezing. 
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands. 
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands. 

Individuals with intellectual disabilities who have existing medical conditions, including breathing problems, are at increased risk for COVID-19.

Public Health Ontario says the most important things you can do to present the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is to: 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. This generally means staying six feet (or about two meters) away. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. 

Here is a video and simple everyday actions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus: 

These are all general precautions that should always be observed in cold and flu season, but we are taking the time to remind ourselves and everyone now, in light of the heightened awareness of this topic.