Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

Q: Who is at risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A: Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged, unprotected close contact with a patient with symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 and those who live in or have recently been to areas with sustained transmission.

Q: Who is at risk for severe disease from COVID-19?
A: The available data are currently insufficient to identify risk factors for severe clinical outcomes. From the limited data that is available for COVID-19 infected patients, and for data from related coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, it is possible that older adults, and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions, such as immunocompromising conditions, may be at risk for more severe outcomes.

Q: Can people who recover from COVID-19 be infected again?
A: The immune response to COVID-19 is not yet understood. Patients with MERS-CoV infection are unlikely to be re-infected shortly after they recover, but it is not yet known whether similar immune protection will be observed for patients with COVID-19.

Q: What do I do if I suspect I am infected?
A: Follow current CDC protocol and notify your employer.

Q: How do I prevent getting sick?
A: There are many simple steps to decrease your chance of acquiring the virus.

• Stay home and out of public areas when you are sick.
• Practice frequent and thorough hand washing.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your cough and sneezes, dispose of tissue immediately, and follow with proper hand washing.

Click here for a full list of preventative measures

Q: What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
A: Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are the primary symptoms. Click here for an up-to-date symptoms list

Q: What does pandemic mean?
A: A pandemic is an epidemic that’s spread over several countries or continents and affects a large percentage of the population. An epidemic is the sudden increase in the number of infection cases above what is normally expected.

Q: Will I still have visits in my home?
A: Caregivers and administrative employees are asked to stay home if they are sick. CDCN is actively monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak and will comply with State and Federal regulations. Our team will remain up to date with temporary changes in regulation in response to the outbreak in each geographical location.

Q: What if my caregiver is unavailable to come to work?
A: Ensure you have backup caregivers. If your primary caregiver gets sick or is unable to come to work, backups allow you to still get the care you need.

Q: How much food should I have at home?
A: Have one to two weeks’ worth of non-perishable food at home and identify people who can help with shopping. To ease the financial burden, there are many local resources to assist.

Q: Should I buy other supplies?
A: Stock up on important household items. Make sure you have enough essentials. Examples of household items include: toilet paper, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.

Q: What about medications?
A: Have a plan to make sure you can get your medications. Talk to friends or family for help or use a pharmacy that delivers.

Q: How should I plan for my pets?
A: Have plenty of pet food at home. Have someone who can take care of your pet if you are hospitalized.