Different from the flu and requires a different response

Nancy Richardson, adapted from a CNN article, information from a former CDC director.

Symptoms: COVID-19 causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. This requires immediate medical attention. COVID-19 may come on slowly and take several days to get worse.

Influenza causes aches, headache and chills and often, upper respiratory symptoms. Flu symptoms come on abruptly and get worse in a day or two.

Infection rate: COVID-19 is more infectious than the flu, spreading farther and faster.

Mortality: COVID -19 is more likely to cause death than the flu and may kill 1 in 100 people who contract it. This virus causes mortality through Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Vaccine: There is no vaccine for COVID-19 and no treatment.

Immunity: Because COVID-19 is a new virus there is no immunity to it among the general population. Children appear to be at reduced risk, while the elderly are at increased risk.

Actions that limit transmission are the best mitigation efforts against the virus and reduce the chances that we will overwhelm the health system. Eighty percent of persons contracting COVID-19 have a mild to moderate case.

• Wash hands.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid touching surfaces.
• Cover coughs.
• Stay home.