Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

If you have an appointment with OrthoConnecticut, and think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, please call the office and reschedule your appointment.

What is COVID-19 and What Are the Symptoms

• COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
• It is highly contagious and mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets such as sneezes, coughs, exhaling in close proximity, rather than through the air.
• You are contagious before your symptoms appear.
• Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear up to 14 days after contact with the virus and may include: fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
• Some people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. However, COVID-19 can cause severe pneumonia. Those at highest risk are younger and older people, as well as people with chronic health conditions such as lung or heart disease.

Illness Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Social distance 6 feet whenever possible.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• 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 — especially after going to the bathroom, before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease. Why? Because you have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to  others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

When to Seek Medical Help

• Seek medical care if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, or have traveled to China, Italy, Iran, Japan, or South Korea in the last 14 days, or were in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the 14 days before you began to feel sick.
• Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency department, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms so they can quickly direct you to the right health facility.

Additional Resources

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Thank you for your patience and understanding as our community works together to minimize the virus’ effects and keep everyone safe.