• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Women talking to doctor

Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

Updated: Jul 28, 2020 | Originally Published: Feb 13, 2020 |
By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Chances are, if you’ve turned on the news recently or opened your internet browser, you have seen mentions of coronavirus. Many have been left to wonder: What is it? How is it spread? And should I be concerned?

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals. There are various strands of coronaviruses, and the one that has made headlines recently is referred to as COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that it was first detected in Wuhan City, China and has since spread across various parts of China and the world due to person-to-person infection. While much is still being learned about this strand, it is believed to have originated as an animal coronavirus that infected people, which is rare.

How is it spread?

COVID-2019 has continued to spread through person-to-person infection throughout China and other parts of the world. Person-to-person infections typically happen between close contact - about 6 feet or closer. Like many other viruses, it is typically spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when someone coughs or sneezes. These germs can then land in the mouth or nose of another nearby person and be inhaled into the lungs.

Should I be concerned?

The CDC has confirmed numerous cases of COVID-19 in the United States, with most states reporting cases. We continue to monitor the CDC’s report on COVID-19 in the United States for up-to-date statistics as this is constantly changing.

Proper precautions should be taken when traveling anywhere, especially to areas with high infection rates. The status of COVID-19 is changing every day, so continue to monitor the CDC’s list of travel notices before traveling. While U.S. residents need to be aware of all updates and changes with the status of COVID-19, individuals still need to be cognizant of the flu as the United States is experiencing another widespread flu epidemic, and citizens are more likely to encounter it. According to the CDC, since October 2019, there have been 39 million to 56 million flu illnesses, 18 million to 26 million flu medical visits, 410,000 to 740,000 flu hospitalizations and anywhere between 24,000 to 62,000 flu deaths in the United States. In contrast, the CDC has confirmed 2,679,230 cases of COVID-2019 in the United States, resulting in 128,024 deaths. This number is changing daily, so for the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in the United States, visit the CDC

U.S. citizens need to continue to protect themselves from catching the flu and other viruses. While flu numbers have started to decrease, it isn’t too late to get a flu shot. Additional precautions include keeping yourself protected by washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing to help limit spreading the virus to others and avoiding school or work when sick.

For most people, viruses and colds can be managed safely at home with rest, fluids and time, though some cases would require an in-person visit or, in extreme cases, hospitalization. For patients seeking care for the flu and other contracted viruses, Ochsner offers urgent care virtual visits through Ochsner Anywhere Care, the MyOchsner patient portal which allows you to connect with your Primary Care physician or pediatrician and immediate assistance and guidance through the Ochsner COVID-19 Info Line, our free nurse care line (1-844-888-2772). For general information, dial the Louisiana hotline, 211, or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.

If you are advised to visit an office or hospital for an appointment instead of self-treating at home, you should maintain proper hand hygiene and take extra precautions by wearing a mask to minimize the risk of spreading or contracting illnesses.

Continue to take all necessary steps to keep yourself safe from viruses. Learn more about coronavirus updates.

The information in this blog post is accurate at the time of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change, it's possible that information has changed since being published. While Ochsner Health is trying to keep our blog posts as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations by using the CDC website.

You may also be interested in:

Gettyimages 846412036
Conditions & Treatment
Apr 17, 2019

Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Measles

The recent increase in measles cases internationally may have you concerned about how to protect yourself and your family. Here's what to do.
Gettyimages 852688676
Conditions & Treatment
Sep 4, 2020

Stomach Viruses: How Soon Can You Go to Work?

If you have a stomach virus and are trying to decide whether to stay home or tough it out at work, these tips can guide you through what to do.
How long does flu last
Health Trends
Sep 10, 2020

How Long Does the Flu Last?

On average, flu symptoms manifest within one to four days after exposure to the virus and continue for about five to seven days after.

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide