COVID-19 is a disease caused by a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This is a new virus that hasn't caused illness in humans before. Worldwide, COVID-19 has resulted in thousands of human infections, casing illness and sometimes death. As the virus continues to spread, there have been cases reported in least 100 countries, including the United States.

The risk to Montgomery County residents is elevated.  The number of cases in Maryland and Montgomery County continues to increase.  While some early cases were related to international travel, most new cases are related to community spread, meaning people catch it from each other while going about their daily lives.  We do not know the exact course of the virus. For an updated case count in Maryland, visit the COVID-19 case count dashboard.  Data is updated daily.

Anyone can become sick with COVID-19.  The majority of  individuals in Montgomery County with COVID-19 have experienced mild to moderate symptoms. Currently, people who are most at risk for complications are:

• Older adults (those over 60 years old)

• Those with serious underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease

If you are at higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19, you should:

• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.

• Limit your interactions to people living in your own household.

• Avoid going out in public unless it is absolutely necessary, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.

• Avoid crowds as much as possible.

• Avoid cruise travel and nonessential air travel.

• Stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

Vulnerable populations include people who are:

• 60 years old and older.

• People with certain chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.

COVID-19 is spread through:

• coughing and sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets

• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands

• touching an object or surface with the virus on it

Symptoms:

• Fever

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• In more severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs)

Most people recover from this infection. Close to 80 percent will have mild or moderate symptoms. Ill people may be advised to recover at home and isolate themselves from others. These individuals should call their physician or clinic if their symptoms worsen. There is also no specific medicine currently to treat COVID-19 because it is a new disease. 

Some COVID-19 infections can lead to serious illness, and in some cases death. If someone has a more serious illness from COVID-19, they may be admitted to the hospital. Older people and those with pre-existing medical problems have a greater risk for serious illness. Examples of pre-existing medical problems are cancer, diabetes, heart disease, COPD and other conditions that impact our immune system's ability to fight germs.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is very important for everyone to take serious precautions.  Staying home and practicing social distancing as much as possible is critical to stopping the spread of the illness.  There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.  Therefore, it is important to take preventative steps to slow the spread of the illness.

• Anyone who can telework should do so.

• Limit trips outside the home to essential travel only, and be sure to stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who is not a member of your household.​

• ​​Wear a cloth face covering when going out.

• Avoid gathering in groups.

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• If you are sick, stay home except to get medical care.  Inform your supervisor of any illness.

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.

• Stay home.  Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care.  Do not leave your home, except to get medical care.  Do not visit public areas.

• ​Take care of yourself.  Get rest and stay hydrated.

• ​ Stay in touch with your doctor.  Call before you get medical care.  Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to arouse or bluish lips or face, or if you think it is an emergency.

• Avoid public transporation, ride-sharing or taxis.

Your health care provider can assess your symptoms and determine if diagnostic testing is appropriate and whether you need to self-monitor, self-quarantine, or self-isolate.  If you are instructed to self-isolate at home, you may discontinue self-isolation:

If you will not have a test to determine if you are still conatgious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:

• You have had no  fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)

• Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

and

• At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

 If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:

• You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) ​

​ and

• Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

​ and

• You received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow  CDC guidelines.

 If you develop severe symptoms or emergency warning signs for COVID-19 such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face:

•  Get medical attention immediately. Call your health care provider or emergency room before you go.​

          The CDC now recommends wearing masks where social distancing is difficult to maintain.  Masks are not advised for children under two years of age and individuals with difficulty breathing. 
            The goal of cloth masks is to prevent people who feel healthy but have COVID-19 from unknowingly spreading respiratory droplets when they are in public. It should be emphasized that cloth masks do not offer the same level of protection as surgical masks and N95 respirator mask.  Surgical masks and N95 respirator masks should be reserved for frontline health care personnel.
          Cloth face covers should:

• Fit snugly, but comfortably against the side of the face

• Be secured with ties or ear loops

• Include multiple layers of fabric

• Allow for breathing without restriction

• Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

If you are wearing a mask, it is important to wash it regularly; machine washing is considered to be an acceptable cleaning method. Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.
      If you want to make your own cloth masks, here are some how-to instructions and videos to provide guidance:

• U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams provides tips on making and wearing a mask.

• CDC instructions on how to wear and clean a facemask.

Have an adequate supply of over-the-counter drugs and other health supplies on hand, which could include:  pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.

Have a thermometer, tissues and hand sanitizer in case you become ill and must stay at home to recover.

Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.

Have a two-week supply of water and food in your home.

At this time, the CDC recommends that travelers avoid any travel on cruise ships worldwide, including river cruises, because of the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission onboard ships.  Deferring travel is especially important for older adults and all people with serious chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease), because of their increased risk for serious illness. People who are at increased risk for serious illness are advised to avoid all non-essential air travel. 

Visit the CDC travel advisory site to check on current travel warnings if you are planning a trip abroad.

Do not stigmatize people of any ethnicity.  Viruses do not target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial backgrounds.

Stay informed and only get information from trusted, official sources.  Be especially wary of myths, rumors, misinformation and scams circulating online and elsewhere.  Health information spread on social media, except from trusted sources, is frequently inaccurate.