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Coronavirus may have been in Washington for weeks
The Tennessean (Nashville)
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Coronavirus is spreading fast.

There are over 90,000 confirmed global cases, and 3,000 confirmed deaths. That includes two in the United States, where there are more than 80 cases reported.

Both U.S. deaths occurred over the weekend at Evergreen Health in King County, Washington. the victims were men who had underlying health conditions.

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Here's the latest information from health experts and the CDC as they try to get a handle on COVID-19.

THE LATEST: Coronavirus case confirmed in Tennessee: First patient is quarantined in Williamson County

CORONAVIRUS IN TENNESSEE: Latest news and updates as virus affects state

What are symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms can include fever, cough and/or shortness of breath. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.

The CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

How does the COVID-19 virus spread?

The first infections were linked to a live animal market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The virus is now spreading from person-to-person.

Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others, which is why the CDC recommends placing these patients in isolation, whether at home or in the hospital. Close contact is considered as within about six feet.

Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes can also spread the virus. It's also possible to get the virus by touching a surface or object with the virus on it and then touching your own nose, mouth or eyes, although this is not considered the main way the virus spreads.

People are most contagious when they are showing symptoms. While there have been reports that the virus can spread from people before they show symptoms, this is not considered to be the main way the virus spreads.

Am I at risk for coronavirus?

There's still a lot unknown with this virus. It is on the way to becoming a pandemic, though it is not at that stage yet. Federal officials have warned Americans to plan for the virus to spread.

For the general public, risk is considered low. Healthcare workers who are treating people with COVID-19, people who have traveled to China or been exposed to someone sick with the virus in the last 14 days are considered to be at a greater risk.

How can you protect yourself from coronavirus?

Good question. Prevention is not much different than protecting yourself from other forms of illnesses. The CDC and medical experts recommend you:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Medical experts recommend washing for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) may be used if soap and water are not readily available. 

What about wearing a facemask?

Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19, as well as health workers and people who are taking care of someone in a close setting, such as a hospital or healthcare facility or a home.

If you have no symptoms or are well, there is no need to wear a facemask.

The U.S. Surgeon General has even advised the public to stop purchasing masks.

Should I be tested for coronavirus?

Currently, only the CDC can conduct tests for COVID-19.

If you present the symptoms listed above and have traveled to China within 14 days, or have had close contact with someone that has, it is recommended you contact your healthcare professional. They will work with your state's public health department and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested.

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Trader Fred DeMarco works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Feb. 28, 2020. Global stock markets are falling further on spreading virus fears.
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Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 27, 2020 in New York City. With concerns growing about how the coronavirus might effect the economy, stocks fell for the fourth straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost almost 1200 points on Thursday.
3/12 SLIDES © KAZUHIRO NOGI, AFP via Getty Images
Pedestrians walk past an electronic quotation board displaying share prices of the Nikkei 225 Index (C, top) and other global stock markets in Tokyo on Feb. 26, 2020. - Tokyo stocks opened lower on Feb. 26 extending losses on Wall Street, as the coronavirus continued to spread and public officials warned of the increasing likelihood of a pandemic.
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Stocks reflect declines on monitors as people work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Feb. 27, 2020.
 
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Health personnel monitor people wearing face masks as they enter the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Feb. 28, 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand. Fearing the spread of Covid-19, a new strain of coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China, the Thai stock market has plunged to its dropped to its lowest since 2014. As Thailand's confirmed cases rises to 40, the country continues to monitor public health through temperature scanning and hand sanitizing stations throughout crowded areas.
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People walk in front of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai, India, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Asian stock markets fell further Friday on spreading virus fears, deepening an global rout after Wall Street endured its biggest one-day drop in nine years.
7/12 SLIDES © Boris Roessler, via AP
A broker watches his screens with the German stock index DAX in background at the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany, Feb. 28, 2020.
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Stock trader Gregory Rowe works at the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 26, 2020. The S&P 500 has lost more than 10% from its record high as worries have built that a fast-spreading new virus will slam economies and corporate profits around the world. That means stocks just went through a ÒcorrectionÓ in the stilted parlance of market watchers.
9/12 SLIDES © Claudio Furlan, Lapresse via AP
A woman wears a sanitary mask as she walks in front of the Italian Stock Exchange in Milan, Italy, Feb. 25, 2020. Civil protection officials on Tuesday reported a large jump of cases in Italy, from 222 to 283.
 
10/12 SLIDES © Mark Schiefelbein, AP
A man wearing a face mask walks past statues of bulls in Beijing, Feb. 28, 2020. Asian stock markets fell further Friday on spreading virus fears, deepening an global rout after Wall Street endured its biggest one-day drop in nine years.
11/12 SLIDES © Mark Lennihan, AP
Stock prices are monitored at the New York Stock Exchange, Feb. 26, 2020.
12/12 SLIDES © Frank Rumpenhorst, dpa via AP
A stock exchange trader sits in the trading room of the exchange, with monitors reflected in her glasses, in Frankfurt, Germany, Feb. 26, 2020. The Dax fell to its lowest level since mid-October 2019 during morning trading, as many companies are putting the brakes on their forecasts for future business, many blaming the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
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How many coronavirus cases are there in the United States?

As of March 2, the CDC's website states that there are a total of 43 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. John's Hopkins estimates that number is closer to 90.

There are currently 10 states reporting cases of confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. They include California, Washington state, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois, Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement that two people in his state had been the first to test "presumptively positive" for the virus. He has ordered his top health officer to declare a statewide public health emergency.

There are also several cases of those who have been repatriated to the United States. Three from Wuhan, China and 42 from passengers aboard the Diamond Princess Cruis Ship. 

How does the coronavirus compare to other global outbreaks?

The World Health Organization shared a visual guide comparing COVID-19 to Ebola, SARS, H1N1 and other diseases.

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COVID-19 is spreading faster than any of the other diseases in their first two months. H1N1 (Swine Flu) took over 40 days before being widely spread, as opposed to COVID-19's 20. After that it spread extremely quick, infecting over 60 million people worldwide.

But while that many people got sick with H1N1, the fatality rate was less than one percent. Currently COVID-19's fatality rate is around or above 2 percent. Compared with SARS (5.6%), MERS (18.1%) or Ebola (68%).

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here's what to know about coronavirus, including symptoms, prevention, risk and other FAQ

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