* Editor's note: Click here for the latest coronavirus-related cancellations and delays.
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the globe and the U.S., it is important to know its symptoms and how to prevent it. For most people with healthy immune symptoms, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. So far, there is no vaccination for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering the following tips to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Put distance between yourself and other people (social distancing - stay six feet apart from other people, particularly in highly trafficked places like grocery stores and pharmacies).
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential travel
- Get a flu shot (Note: so far, there is no vaccination for COVID-19)
Below is a list of national and local resources with further news and information about COVID-19 and the efforts being taken to prevent its spread:
Delaware COVID-19 Statistics - updated daily with number of positive cases, total deaths, total recovered, hospitalizations and breakdowns by county.
Maryland COVID-19 Statistics - updated daily with number of positive cases, total deaths, total recovered, hospitalizations and breakdowns by county.
Virginia COVID-19 Statistics - updated daily with number of positive cases, total deaths, total recovered, hospitalizations and breakdowns by county.
WBOC and WRDE News COVID19- Full Coverage: The latest local and regional news on COVID-19.
CBS News COVID-19 Full Coverage: The latest updates on COVID-19 and its spread around the world.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Comprehensive page provides full details about COVID-19, its signs and symptoms, how it spreads and the latest updates on the number of cases in the U.S. Additional information is provided for community, schools, businesses, healthcare professionals, health departments, travel and laboratories.
Coronavirus-related cancellations and closures: List of local cancellations and closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 information page: Information and regular updates about COVID-19 in Maryland, the number of cases in the state, and the efforts being made to prevent its spread. Also provides guidance for people who recently traveled abroad, including to China, which is Ground Zero for COVID-19.
Delaware Division of Public Health Coronavirus Disease Information Page: The latest information and updates about the number of COVID-19 cases in Delaware as well as DPH's effort to educate the public about the virus and efforts to prevent its spread. Also includes a map of confirmed cases of COVID-19 by zip code for each week.
Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 information page: The latest updates about the number of cases of COVID-19 in the state, along with information about the disease and how to prevent its spread.
Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Wicomico County Health Department and Somerset County Health Department COVID-19 Call Center: PRMC, the Wicomico County Health Department and the Somerset Health Department have teamed up to open a COVID-19 Information and Triage Line. The call center is based at PRMC and collaboratively staff by registered nurses and other clinicians from both Peninsula Regional and the health departments. The number is 410-912-6889. Callers to the PRMC/Wicomico County/Somerset County COVID-19 Information and Triage Line can bring their questions to local registered nurses and the healthcare team. If concerned about contracting COVID-19, callers will learn what they can do to take precautions. In addition, if callers are concerned about possibly having COVID-19, the team will do an initial screening and assessment to understand the callers potential risk to COVID-19 and next steps in care. The COVID-19 Information and Triage Line call center is staffed and answered live seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Worcester County Health Department opened a call center Thursday, March 12, 2020, for questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). Callers can reach the center during health department business hours (8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday) by dialing 410-632-1100 option #8. General information on COVID-19 is available 24/7 through Worcester Health’s Public Information Line (410-632-4321) and WorcesterHealth.org.
Map: Watch the Corona Virus Cases Around the World: This interactive map shows the spread of the COVID-19 virus around the world since late January. Health officials in China first announced they were treating dozens of cases of an unknown illness on Dec. 31 and reported the first known death from the coronavirus on Jan. 11. The data used to compile this map comes from Johns Hopkins University, which first shared its dashboard of cases, deaths and recoveries for affected countries on Jan. 22.
CNN Podcast: Fact vs. Fiction: Join CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta for the latest news about the coronavirus. He'll make sense of the headlines, speak with the experts and give you all the information you need to stay safe and healthy.
U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 Information and Resources for School Personnel. A must-read for school personnel who are trying to keep their students and staff safe from COVID-19.
Delaware Division of Public Health's COVID-19 Information Line: Call the information line at 1-866-408-1899, TTY at 1-800-232-5460 or email dphcall@delaware.gov. Anyone who has returned from a country with a level 2 or higher travel alert - China, Italy, Iran, Japan, and South Korea - in the past 14 days and has developed symptoms such as coughing, fever and shortness of breath, should contact the Division of Public Health at 1-866-408-1899. Any returning travelers, again within the last 14 days, from these countries who do not have symptoms are also asked to call DPH at 1-866-408-1899 so that it can provide guidance on self-monitoring for symptoms and what to do if you do develop symptoms.
Delaware Child Nutrition Program Locations: From the Delaware Department of Education: families can visit any of these meals sites. The site does not need to be in your home district or at the school your student attends.
Delaware Department of Education: The latest information about COVID-19's impact on the First State's public schools, including closings, child meal locations and learning activities.
Maryland State Department of Education: The latest information about COVID-19's impact on the state's public schools, including closures.
Peninsula Regional Health System's COVID-19 information page: Outlines PRHS' efforts to ensure that all of its facilities are prepared in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus in our region.
Salisbury University's COVID-19 information page: The latest updates on what SU is doing to keep the campus community safe and information on how to prevent contracting COVID-19. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the SU community reported by the Maryland Department of Health or Wicomico County Health Department. If this situationi changes, the latest updates will be found on this page.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore COVID-19 Updates: The latest information about what UMES is doing to keep the campus community safe from COVID-19 and prevent its spread.
University of Delaware Coronavirus updates page: Provides updates about UD's ongoing response to the COVID-19 situation.
University of Maryland Medical System COVID-19 Information Page: Details about UMMS' "Enhanced Patient Safety Policy" in response to the virus, including a Frequently Asked Questions document.
Talbot County Department of Social Services: A general hotline has been established for calls about COVID-19 and will be staffed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 410-770-5515.
Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses: Maryland has authorized $130 million in loan and grant funding for small businesses and manufacturers that have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This emergency assistance provides interim relief and proceeds that can be used to pay cash operating expenses including payroll, suppliers, rent, fixed debt payments and other mission critical cash operating costs.
Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester's Coronavirus Resource Page: The congresswoman's page for Delaware constituents includes resources from the Centers for Disease Control, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, frequently asked questions and answers, compiled from Blunt Rochester’s March 17th telephone town hall with Dr. Karyl Rattay, and the latest information on congressional action being taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.
Delaware Department of Labor: Unemployment numbers for the state and information about how employees in the First State laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for unemployment benefits.
Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance FAQ page: Frequently Asked Questions regarding the potential impact of COVID-19.
Maryland Department of Labor: Unemployment numbers for the state and information about how employees in the state laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for unemployment insurance.
Maryland COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund: Information about the state's new COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs.
Virginia Employment Commission's unemployment page: Details on how to file or re-open an unemployment claim, with updated information as it to pertains to workers laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CDC COVID-19 Household Checklist: As a family, you can plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources: Small businesses across the country have been impacted in many ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This website provides guidance and loan resources that small businesses can take advantage of during this unprecedented time.
How to Make a Cloth Face Mask: The CDC is now recommending people wear face masks while in public settings in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The new recommendation is in addition to social distancing, which the CDC continues to champion as the prime way to prevent the spread of the virus.