About Coronavirus

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• About Coronavirus (Spanish)   (Chinese)   (Hindi)   (Polish)   (Arabic)   (Tagalog)  

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people, and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people.

Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world, including some that cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. However, COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

People with COVID-19 have shown a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

• 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

For more information, please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) symptoms page.

COVID-19 mainly spreads through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). It is important to note that even if you do not exhibit symptoms, you can still spread the virus to others. Public health experts are still learning more about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes. To learn more about transmission, and how to protect yourself and your family, please visit the CDC website transmission page.

COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of community spread by effectively preventing the COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.

You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Or, two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

The risk of spreading COVID-19 is minimal for fully vaccinated people, and the risk is reduced from fully vaccinated individuals to unvaccinated individuals. As a result, fully vaccinated people may resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you should continue taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

Find a vaccine provider near you: http://vaccines.gov

• Vaccine Informations:  Learn more about the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
• Situation update: Get up to date information on the severity, reach and reaction at the national level.
• Information for Travelers: If you are planning a trip or having family/friends visit please review these travel notes from the CDC and be aware of precautions and additional steps being put into place.
• K-12 and Childcare Program Preparation: If you are an educator or have a child in school or childcare these recommendations will apply and help reduce the likelihood of infection and spread.
• College and University Preparation: College and University students and faculty can learn information and methods to prepare for any issues which may arise during this time.