The 2019 novel coronavirus is a new respiratory disease first identified in Wuhan City, China. The name of this illness is Coronavirus Disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. Diseases from coronaviruses in people typically cause mild to moderate illness, like the common cold. Some, like the SARS or MERS viruses, cause serious infections like pneumonia. COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

COVID-19 has been confirmed in people who have had no symptoms to mild symptoms to severe illness. Coronavirus symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Severe illness

Symptoms are believed to develop 2-14 days after becoming infected with the virus.

• If you become ill, please:
  • Stay home and avoid contact with others, except for seeking medical care
  • There is no known medical treatment at this time. Please only seek medical care if your symptoms are severe (such as shortness of breath, altered mental state, etc.).
  • Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms
  • Do not travel while sick
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing

Health experts are still learning how the coronavirus is spread. Based on other coronaviruses, the virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to spread through close contact (defined as about 6 feet) with an infected person. Similar to the flu, when an infected person coughs or sneezes droplets from their respiratory tract enter the air. These virus-filled droplets can enter the mouths or noses of individuals close by or land on nearby objects.

It’s possible the COVID-19 virus may be spread by infected individuals before they have symptoms. It’s believed infected individuals are most contagious when their symptoms are the most intense. The incubation period for COVID-19 (the time period between getting infected and when symptoms develop) is believed to be 2-14 days. Community spread (spread that includes infections among people whose infection sources are unknown) appears to be occurring in certain areas of the U.S.

Do not assume that someone of a race or nationality is likely to have COVID-19; this new virus has infected people of many different races and nationalities across the entire world. No one in our community should be excluded from activities because of their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness.

For additional details, read the CDC’s How COVID-19 Spreads

It is not recommended that people who are well wear masks to protect themselves from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional advises it. A facemask should be used by people with COVID-19 who have symptoms to protect others from getting infected. Health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in a close setting should wear a mask.

The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving globally. We encourage you to stay informed through the Florida Department of Health, the CDC and the World Health Organization.

As with other respiratory illnesses, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the spread of infection:

• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning agent
• Stay informed

Given the rapid spread of the virus globally, Cal State LA is suspending all international and non-essential domestic travel effective March 10 through May 31, 2020. This suspension includes all Cal State LA auxiliary organizations.

We strongly urge our community against non-essential personal travel outside of the U.S. during the upcoming spring break. Flight cancellations, border closings, and quarantines may occur, making travel and a return to the U.S. more difficult. Please take note of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel warnings.