Coronavirus Prevention:

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. 

• Stay home or social distance. Stay at least 6 feet away from any other person when in public. 
• Wear a cloth face cover that covers your nose and mouth when you go out into public and social distancing cannot be achieved at all times, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Click here for how to make and how to use a cloth face covering.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others when possible. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw it away. Immediately wash your hands. 
• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Steps You Can Take
• Qué puede hacer si tiene un mayor riesgo de enfermarse gravemente por el COVID-19

Stay home if you are sick, and refer to what to do if you are sick or think you may be sick.

Prevention for those at Higher Risk of Severe Complications from COVID-19:

Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults (65 years or older) and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including those listed below. Click the links below for information from the CDC based on each category:

• Older adults
• Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• Serious heart conditions
• Conditions that can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.
• Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease and who are undergoing dialysis
• Liver disease

 Here are extra prevention measures to take for those who fall within this group:

• Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
• Have at least a 2-week supply of prescription and non-prescription medications. Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than two weeks) of prescription medications, if possible, to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about whether your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal disease.
• Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments have contingency infection prevention plans to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19. If you need emergency help, call 911.
• Stay home and keep supplies on hand including household items, groceries, medications, over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Consider using mail-order for medications.
• Follow all prevention measures to protect from getting infected with COVID-19.