CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Date: 03/13/20
Last updated: 03/16/2020
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. This virus was first found during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. People of all ages can be infected, but older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease may be more likely to become severely ill if infected.
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Seek medical advice if you have recently traveled to China and feel sick. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
What You Can Do
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of COVID-19. Investigations to learn more are ongoing. There is currently no vaccine and no antiviral treatment for COVID-19. However, you can keep yourself and others healthy with simple actions that help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
- 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.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Resources
For more information, please review the following resources from Superior HealthPlan, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network:
- Superior HealthPlan: What you need to know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF)
- CDC: Learn More About the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
- CDC: Facts About Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease – 2019 (COVID-19)
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease – 2019 (COVID-19) and Children
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease – 2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy
- CDC: Coronavirus Disease - Managing Anxiety and Stress
- NCTSN: Parent/Caregivier Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus
- WHO: Coronavirus Myth Busters
Contact Information
You can call the 24-hour nurse advice line to get answers to health questions. You can also receive 24/7 telehealth access to doctors on-demand by phone or video for non-emergency medical issues through Teladoc. For additional information, please contact Member Services:
- STAR or CHIP - 1-800-783-5386
- STAR Kids - 1-844-590-4883
- STAR Health (Foster Care) - 1-866-912-6283
- STAR+PLUS - 1-877-277-9772
- Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan - 1-877-687-1196
Source: CDC.gov, WHO.int, NCTSN.org