How to Protect Yourself from the New
Coronavirus
Follow these simple precautions to reduce your chances of
contracting the new coronavirus, which causes the disease
known as COVID-19.
7 Min Read COVID-19 Outbreak
Since the December outbreak in Wuhan, China, the new coronavirus has spread rapidly, with
more than one million confirmed cases in 207 countries as of early April. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus that causes the disease known
as COVID-19 seems to be spreading in the community in certain affected geographic areas.
As with any virus, however, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
Know the signs
The symptoms of infection for the new coronavirus are often similar to those of other
respiratory virus infections, such as influenza. Symptoms can include fever, cough, or
shortness of breath. Most people will only have mild symptoms, but some can become very
sick. When person-to-person spread has occurred with other novel coronaviruses that caused
diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), it is thought to have happened
mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar
to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS has
generally occurred between people in close contact.
“The means of transmission is similar: through respiratory droplets produced when a person
coughs or sneezes, or by direct physical contact with an infected person, such as shaking
hands,” says Dr. David Goldberg, internist and infectious disease specialist at NewYork-
Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester and an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia
University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
If you think you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 and have symptoms,
before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your
symptoms and any recent travel. You can also utilize a virtual care platform, such as
NewYork-Presbyterian’s NYP OnDemand, to meet with a healthcare professional by video
conference. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor will determine whether
or not you need to come in to be evaluated. Avoid contact with others and wear a face mask if
you need to leave your home when you are sick.
How contagious is Coronavirus:
How contagious is the new coronavirus? A person infected with the new coronavirus can
spread the virus to 1.5 – 3.5 people. This metric, known as the R0 or R-naught, describes how
contagious a virus is. Here, we show how quickly the new coronavirus can jump from 1
infection to over 1 million.
Keep things clean
Preventative measures are your first line of defense. The best way to protect yourself from
COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene and to make these CDC recommendations part of your
routine:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after
going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or
sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at
least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash
your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, rather than
into your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Visit the CDC for guidelines on how to properly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.
(Yes, there’s plenty of science behind this basic habit.)
Wear a cloth face mask
On April 3, the CDC changed its guidelines on face masks, recommending that people wear
cloth face coverings in public settings. This is especially encouraged in situations where
social distancing is difficult to maintain (such as in a grocery store or pharmacy) and in areas
of significant community-based transmission. According to the CDC, studies have shown that
individuals with the novel coronavirus could be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic,
prompting them to make this new recommendation. While this measure is intended to help
mitigate the spread, it’s important to note that it does not replace social distancing
recommendations. In addition, surgical masks and N-95 respirators should remain reserved
for healthcare workers and medical first responders.
Avoid close contact
The CDC recommends maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others in public
places since respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing do not travel more than 6
feet. While at home, remind everyone to practice everyday preventive actions – such as
washing hands and wiping down surfaces – to help reduce the risk of getting sick. If you are
symptomatic and have tested positive for COVID-19 but do not require hospitalization, you
should stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home as much as
possible and use a separate bathroom, if available. If your living space makes it difficult to
keep a 6-foot distance, stay as far apart as you can and continue to practice good hygiene and
wear a mask.
Restrict your travel
Many states have put out the call for individuals to stay home, except to make essential trips
to the grocery store, pharmacy or for some outdoor exercise.
The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, most
European countries, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Most foreign nationals who have been
in one of these countries during the previous 14 days will not be allowed to enter the United
States. “For people at risk for the complications of COVID-19, such as those with underlying
medical conditions or those who are older, it’s prudent to avoid any long-distance travel,”
says Dr. Goldberg.
Stay up to date with CDC’s travel health notices related to this outbreak.
How NewYork-Presbyterian is prepared
Rest assured, NewYork-Presbyterian is following the situation closely and implementing all
recommendations provided by our local and state departments of health and the CDC. Our
medical staff is trained to recognize patients who may have COVID-19 and to keep the new
virus from spreading.
We understand how important the support of loved ones and friends is to patients during their
hospital stay. At the same time, the new coronavirus requires NewYork-Presbyterian to
temporarily adjust our visiting policy in order to keep our patients and visitors safe from
infection. Please see our updated visitor guidelines.
For more information on the evolving situation and how to protect yourself from coronavirus,
visit the CDC and check NewYork-Presbyterian for more updates.
Additional Resources
If you have concerns regarding COVID-19, please call NewYork-Presbyterian’s
hotline at 646-697-4000. This hotline is available as a public service to provide
information only and not diagnose, treat, or render a medical opinion.
If you are not feeling well, consider using NewYork-Presbyterian’s Virtual Urgent
Care for non-life-threatening symptoms such as fever, cough, upset stomach, or
nausea. Learn more by visiting nyp.org/urgentcare.
