Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms of novel coronavirus can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Some cases involve vomiting or diarrhea
• Severe cases can include pneumonia

Most people who get the 2019 novel coronavirus don’t get extremely sick, but some might have to go to the hospital. Most people who get sick from 2019 novel coronavirus start to feel these symptoms between two and 14 days after they catch it.

Respiratory viruses are generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person. Everyone is advised to take many of the same steps they do to help prevent colds and the flu.

• Wash your hands often, using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer until soap and water is available.
• Cough/sneeze into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, and especially if you are coughing or sneezing.
• Monitor your temperature. (A fever is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.) Remain home from work or school if you have a fever or you aren’t feeling well.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that you touch frequently such as doorknobs, railings, sink handles, phones, and computer keyboards.

• Those who have recently traveled to any countries of high level transmission (China, Italy, Iran, South Korea as of March 11, 2020) and who have symptoms of respiratory illness and/or fever should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Call or email them before going in person. Note that travelers from these countries should undertake a 14-day quarantine upon return.
• Individuals who have come into close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should contact the DPH Epidemiology Line at (617) 983-6800.
• Other persons experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should practice self-care and germ spread prevention: stay home, cover your cough, and contact your medical provider for guidance. (Call before you go in.)

Like other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu, novel coronavirus most commonly spreads to others from an infected person via

• Droplets produced through coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as caring for an infected person
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands

Novel coronavirus is new, and public health officials are learning more each day about how it spreads and how long it takes for people to become sick. As information becomes available, we will keep you informed.

Please see the MA DPH website for statewide updates. 

The CDC is tracking cases in the U.S. on its website HERE. The WHO is tracking global cases on their website via situation reports HERE.