What is COVID-19?

It’s a new coronavirus strain that causes respiratory illness. Originating in Wuhan City, China, the virus has infected thousands of people worldwide and caused deaths. Cases have now been reported around the world. The World Health Organization named the disease caused by the new coronavirus on Feb. 11, 2020. The new name is COVID-19, short for “coronavirus disease 2019.”

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common signs of infection include:

• Respiratory symptoms
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulties

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death.

People with heart and lung disease or weakened immune systems, as well as infants and older adults, are at higher risk for lower respiratory tract illness.

How is COVID-19 spread?

Human coronaviruses are usually spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing and through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

Find out more:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• World Health Organization Coronavirus disease outbreak

• CMS Prepares Nation’s Healthcare Facilities for Coronavirus Threat
• Gartner: Lead Your Organization Through the Disruption of Coronavirus
• Associated Press Virus Outbreak page
• Associated Press Understanding the Outbreak page

• WPS Health Insurance COVID-19 information page
• EPIC Specialty Benefits COVID-19 information page

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If you do not have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Stimulus check scams

The Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge of scam phone calls and email phishing attempts about the coronavirus, or COVID-19. The schemes are related to the economic impact payments being issued by the U.S. government.

Read the news release

COVID-19 test kits

Beware of solicitors who try to sell you a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test kit. Legitimate COVID-19 tests are ordered by your attending physician.

Do not give out personal information

If you are called by anyone other than your attending physician, please do not provide personal or health-related information. Never give your bank or credit card information to any solicitor over the phone.