For more information, contact the Florida
Department of Health hotline at 866.779.6121.
The Basics
What is COVID-19? Is it the same thing
as “coronavirus”?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that have a halo or crown-
like (corona) appearance when viewed under a microscope.
These viruses are a common cause of mild to moderate upper
respiratory illness in humans and are associated with various
diseases in animals.
COVID-19, initially referred to as “novel coronavirus,” is a
condition caused by a type of coronavirus that was previously
unrecognized but has now been named COVID-19. It can cause
mild to severe respiratory symptoms; see below for more on
symptoms. We also recommend visiting the CDC and the
World Health Organization online for more information about
COVID-19 symptoms.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to
severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and
shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days
after exposure, but it’s important to remember that very few
respiratory infections will be COVID-19.
Should I wear a surgical mask or respirator in public?
The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a
facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases,
including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who
show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the
disease, according to the CDC.
I might have been exposed. What should I do?
If you have had close contact (within 6 ft.) with someone
confirmed to have COVID-19 and have symptoms (fever,
cough or difficulty breathing), call your doctor right away. If
you do not have a care provider, call the Florida Department of
Health's hotline for guidance.
The CDC advises people who have no symptoms but believe
they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to stay home and
self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after their last potential
exposure.
Who should be tested for COVID-19?
The CDC sets specific criteria for COVID-19 diagnostic testing,
and that has been evolving. Healthcare providers will
work with the Florida Department of Health and CDC to
determine whether there is a need for a patient to be tested
for COVID-19. Testing is not currently recommended for those
who do not have symptoms.
Prevention Steps
How can I protect myself and others from
COVID-19 infection?
The best way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay
informed and to use the same common-sense precautions you
take to guard against other illnesses, such as the flu.
› Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use
alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contain at least 60% alcohol
and rub hands until they feel dry, when handwashing
isn’t an option.
› Cough or sneeze into your sleeve (the crook of your elbow),
shirt or a tissue, not into your hands, and encourage kids to
do the same.
› Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and encourage
those around you to cover their nose and mouth when
coughing or sneezing.
› Stay home if you’re sick and do not return to work, school
or social activities until you have been fever-free for at least
48 hours without medication.
› Clean commonly touched surfaces in your home and
workplace with bleach, ammonia or alcohol-based
disinfectants. Wipe down and disinfect things like doorknobs,
light switches, refrigerator handle(s), TV or stereo remote
controls, computer keyboards, your home telephone,
cellphones and other touchscreen devices, etc.
› If you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, call
your healthcare provider for instructions on how to seek
care without exposing others.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces
or objects:
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by
touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then
touching their own mouth, nose or eyes, but this is not
thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
People are thought to be most contagious when they are most
symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible
before people show symptoms, but this is not thought to be the
main way the virus spreads.
There is likely very low risk of spread from products or
packaging, because of poor survivability of other
coronaviruses on surfaces. Currently there is no evidence to
support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported
goods, but there is still a lot that is unknown about how the
newly emerged COVID-19 spreads
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue,
then throw the tissue
in the trash.
While there are no EPA-registered disinfectants specifically
listed as having the ability to kill COVID-19, related viruses with
similar physical and biochemical properties can be killed with
bleach, ammonia or alcohol, or cleaning agents containing any
of these disinfectants.
How does COVID-19 spread?
Current understanding about how COVID-19 spreads is largely
based on what is known about similar coronaviruses.
COVID-19 is a new disease, and there is more to learn about
how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes and to what
extent it may spread in the United States.
Clean and disinfect frequently
touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Person-to-person spread: The virus is thought to spread
mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in
close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and
through respiratory droplets produced when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the
mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be
inhaled into the lungs.
Stay home when you are sick,
except to get medical care.
Wash your hands often with soap
and water for at least 20 seconds.