Coronavirus (COVID-19) What You Need to Know

Update:

Live Updates:

03/19/2020

According to Johns Hopkins data, the number of worldwide cases is over 210,000, with 8,700 deaths and 83,000 recoveries. As of March 18, 2020 in the US, cases rise to 7,769 with 118 deaths.

Updates in the United States

• The State Department is advising Americans to avoid all international travel and urging citizens abroad to arrange for an "immediate return"

• US Senate passes coronavirus relief plan - The legislation provides free coronavirus testing, paid family and sick leave, food assistance and unemployment benefits. It will not head to the White House, where President Trump has said he'll sign it, with another larger aid package expected to follow.

• Social gatherings are limited to 10 people

• Trump announced the U.S. and Canada will close the border to non-essential traffic to control the coronavirus outbreak.

• AP reports Detroit automakers are shutting down factories due to worker concerns over the virus.

World Wide Updates

• France, Spain and Italy are in full lockdown

• Factories in China have begun to reopen as new cases slow

• To avoid internet gridlock Netflix said on Thursday it would reduce its bit rates across all its streams in Europe, in effect cutting traffic on its European networks by 25% to preserve the smooth functioning of the internet during the coronavirus crisis.

• Europe looking to extend virus lockdowns and the EU has banned nonessential travel from outside the bloc into 26 nations stretching from Portugal to Finland, home to more than 400 million people, for 30 days.

• Australia blocks arrival of all non-citizens, non-residents in expanded coronavirus travel ban.

• Australia's biggest airline Qantas said Thursday it would halt all international flights and suspend 20,000 staff in response to the coronavirus pandemic, days after the island nation's other main carrier Virgin shut its overseas routes.

• South Africa stepped up travel bans as the coronavirus continued to spread at a rapid pace and the country confirmed more instances of local transmission. South Africa reported Wednesday March 18th that the number of coronavirus cases in the country nearly doubled in a span of just two days as the pandemic begins to grip the African continent.

• Asian nations face second wave of imported cases. Rise of imported cases prompts officials to tighten restrictions on new arrivals. The number of coronavirus cases has spiked across Asia, crushing hopes that the region had contained the outbreak.

• Officials in South Korea, Taiwan and parts of China and south-east Asia are rushing through new measures after a second wave of new infections following weeks of declines.

• Taiwan is closing its borders to nearly all foreigners and intensifying quarantine measures on its own citizens.

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03/12/2020

World Health Organization on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic as the global death toll rose above 4,500 and the number of confirmed cases neared 125,000. The U.S. death toll climbed to 33 and the number of U.S. cases are over 1,100 in 38 states. President Trump has restricted all flights from Europe into the United States starting March 13th which will last 30 days.

Major insurance companies have pledge to waive all copays related to coronavirus testing. If you are feeling ill and have any of the symptoms listed below, we strongly urge you to go to your local hospital or urgent care to get tested. If your insurance company offers telemedicine (the ability to see a physician over the phone rather than in person) we suggest this alternative to exposing yourself to other people who may be at-risk.

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Notice: Some of the information below regarding travel restrictions is no longer valid. We will continue to update you with the most current information available.

No doubt Coronavirus has been in the news and on our minds, but there are still so many questions to be asked and answered.

What is Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses found in animals that evolve the ability to infect humans as well. There are seven strains found in humans; Four of which cause mild symptoms of the common cold and two that are much more severe, causing over 1,500 deaths between them and the current death rate sitting at 2% of all cases.

The coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China has affected more than 7,700 people, killing at least 170. As of today, the outbreak has surpassed the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak. In the past 32 hours, the death toll has risen to 259 with confirmed cases at 11,791.

The virus has spread to 19 other countries with six cases in the United States; Two in both California and Illinois and one in both Washington and Arizona.

How is coronavirus transmitted?

The virus is spread in the same fashion as the common cold: by micro-droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread when someone touches a contaminated surface such as a door handle or in common areas like public restrooms.

Are there any travel restrictions in place?

Officials at the CDC have advised travelers to avoid all nonessential travel to China. The United States is also expanding the screening of travelers arriving from Wuhan from five to 20 airports.

- Singapore is banning travelers from China's Hubei province.

- The United Kingdom and New Zealand also advised their people against nonessential travel to China.

- Russia has signed an order to close the border between them and China. They also blocked tour groups from China.

- China has cut off access to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, trapping more than 50 million people.

- South Korea urged an increase in its level of caution to "restraint" when traveling to China.

- Hong Kong reduced half its flights and shut down rail service to mainland China.

- United canceled all flights to China.

- American Airlines suspended L.A. flights to and from Shanghai and Beijing.

- British Airways suspended all flights to and from mainland China.

- Air India and Seoul Air halting all flights to the country.

- Finnair, Cathay Pacific, and Jetstar also stopping service.

- Lion Air canceled 50 flights to China into February.

- Air Canada is suspending all direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai.

How can I protect myself from the virus? Will wearing a mask prevent the spread of infection?

Protecting yourself from Coronavirus is extremely similar to protecting yourself from the common cold or the flu, except there is no vaccination for Coronavirus. Follow these guidelines to limit your chances of becoming infected:

- Seek prompt medical help if you develop a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Always share your travel history with your healthcare provider.

- Wash your hands often with an alcohol-based rub or with warm water and soap for 30 seconds.

- Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands when washing is unavailable

- Use caution in airports, common areas, and public transportation. Try not to touch your face after coming into contact with other people or common areas.

- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Use caution in airports, common areas, public transportation, and when coming into contact with others.

- Cover your mouth and nose with the flexed elbow or "vampire method" when coughing or sneezing.

- Carry disposable tissues and cough or sneeze into them before carefully disposing of the tissue and washing your hands immediately after.

- Avoid close contact with those who have a cough or fever.

- Regularly clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces or devices.

- Avoid unprotected contact with live animals or surfaces that come in contact with live animals.

- Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products. Exercise proper care when handling animal products or by-products.

- Do not share snacks from bowls, plates, or bags that others are grabbing from with their hands and not utensils.

- Avoid shaking hands, cheek or lip kissing if you suspect someone may have or have come into contact with the virus.

- Take an immune-booster (such as our Colloidal Silver) year-round.

Experts have advised that wearing a mask can limit the spread of the virus but cannot keep those uninfected from getting it, provided they are used and disposed of correctly.

To properly wear a mask, secure it correctly over the mouth, chin, and nose, bending the metal strip at the top to secure it to the nose. Be sure to change your mask frequently as masks can become moist and provide a stable environment for germs to thrive.

To properly dispose of the mask, throw it in a disposable bin, preferably with a lid and immediately wash your hands.

Who is at risk of contracting the coronavirus?

Everyone, but especially those with weakened immune systems. This includes infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with autoimmune diseases. If you have recently traveled to any high-risk areas, you may be at risk as well.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The symptoms are similar to that of pneumonia: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms develop between two and 14 days after exposure. This family of viruses can also cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses such as bronchitis.

If you have any of these symptoms, consider if you have traveled to a high-risk area recently (up to two weeks prior to your symptoms developing) or if you have been in contact with someone who has.

If you become concerned about your symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.

Have any other questions or concerns about the virus? Leave a comment below or send us a message. We are dedicated to providing the best support possible!