Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with SARS-CoV-2.

Chinese health officials have reported tens of thousands of cases of COVID-19, with the virus reportedly spreading from person-to-person in parts of China. COVID-19 illnesses, most of them associated with travel from Wuhan, also are being reported in a growing number of international locations, including the U.S. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been seen among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan. The latest situation summary updates, including the number of cases identified in the U.S., are available on CDC’s web page Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Patients who get sick with COVID-19 develop mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Many common illnesses can cause these same symptoms. COVID-19 can only be diagnosed at a public health laboratory. Individuals who have these symptoms and have traveled to China or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be seen by a doctor or medical professional.

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

Although the virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, it is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in Hubei province and other parts of China. In the U.S., spread from person-to-person has occurred only among a few close contacts and has not spread any further to date.

There is no specific medicine to treat COVID-19 infection at this time, though studies are underway. People sick with COVID-19 should receive supportive care from a health care professional. Supportive care means care to help relieve symptoms; for example, medicine to bring down fevers, or oxygen if a patient’s oxygen level is low.

Diagnosis occurs through laboratory testing of respiratory specimens and serum (blood). Some coronavirus strains cause the common cold and patients tested by their health care provider may test positive for these types.

CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States.  We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.  This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.  In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

CDC recommends avoiding travel to China. Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other areas in Hubei Province, including buses, subways, trains, and the international airport. Additional restrictions and cancellations of events may occur. For travel advice for other countries, please visit that country’s Destination Page or CDC’s Travel Health Notice website.

Information for Businesses & Employers

The Village has been updating a web-page with business resources.  This page has information about local, state, and federal resources and can be found here.

Employers play a key role in promoting healthy communities. The CDC recommends that employers encourage sick employees to stay home, especially if they have had a fever of 100.4°F or higher. Employees should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work. For additional best practices, the CDC offers guidance for an informed response from employers. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has prepared a useful fact sheet for businesses and employers.

Special guidance for healthcare professionals is also available.

The information on this page is adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cook County Department of Health, and the Illinois Department of Health. Please contact your healthcare provider with questions about symptoms of COVID-19 or if you require medical advice for yourself or your family.