Symptoms? Spread? Statistics? Testing? Coronavirus mailbags? Find everything you need to know about the novel coronavirus COVID-19, including an overview of the disease, information on how to protect yourself and where to get tested, and local and national resources below.

Find all of KSL.com's coronavirus coverage here.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 in an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization. The novel coronavirus 2019, SARS-CoV-2, was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

What is a novel coronavirus?

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus not previously identified, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronaviruses were named for their crown-like spikes on their surface. Human coronaviruses, which were first discovered in the 1960s, are common and have mild symptoms. Coronaviruses like COVID-19 that can infect animals can mutate to infect humans, and can cause severe illness. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

How does it spread?

COVID-19 spreads person-to-person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC. Spread is more likely when people come within 6 feet of an infected person. The CDC does not have evidence it spreads on food or via mosquitoes. It is also not yet known if the weather affects the spread of coronavirus.

Symptoms of COVID-19

According to the CDC, a wide range of symptoms for COVID-19 may include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

How to protect yourself

Since there is no vaccine yet, the CDC says the best way to protect yourself is to avoid getting the virus and has given the following recommendations:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Keep social distancing and avoid crowded places and mass gatherings. Keep at least 6 feet of space between you and other people. This includes members of your own household if they're sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask. The mask is most useful if you use it while continuing to maintain social distancing.
• Cover coughs and sneezes and throw used tissues in the trash immediately. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes: tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Monitor your health by watching for symptoms and take your temperature if symptoms appear.

For more information, visit the CDC webpage Prevent Getting Sick.

Masks

The latest research from the CDC says that masks are "a critical tool in the fight" to stop COVID-19 transmission. Wearing a cloth face covering CORRECTLY can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. When going out on essential trips, the CDC advises following several "do's" and "don'ts," as shown in the graphic below:

For more information on why you should, how to wear one and the best material for DIY masks:

• Best way to reduce coronavirus transmission is by wearing a face mask, study finds
• Utah doctor explains reasoning behind new mask requirements
• CDC.gov: Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

What to do if you're sick

If you are sick and think you might have COVID-19, the CDC recommends the following:

• Stay home except to get medical care. Avoid public transportation, get rest and stay hydrated. Most COVID-19 cases are mild.
• Separate yourself from other people and stay in one location in your home. Use a separate bathroom if possible. Wear a mask if you have to be around other people and pets.
• Monitor your symptoms and watch your fever and cough.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-Checker

Think you might have COVID-19? Check your symptoms here with the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Self-Checker tool.

COVID-19 testing in Utah

Coronavirus.utah.gov has a testing sites locator to find a site near you as well as information on drive-thru testing and assistance for getting tested if you are uninsured.

When to seek emergency medical attention

If your symptoms get worse and you experience the following emergency warning signs, the CDC says to seek medical attention immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

These are not the only emergency warning signs, according to the CDC, who says to "please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." For more information, visit the CDC's site What To Do If You Are Sick.

COVID-19 Statistics

Utah case counts

United States Cases

World Cases

Coronavirus health resources

Utah

• Coronavirus.utah.gov
• Utah case counts
• Color-coded risk phases map, local mask requirements
• Protecting high-risk individuals
• Utah Leads Together economic recovery plans
• Utah Department of Workforce Services: COVID-19

Utah Health Districts

• Bear River (Box Elder, Cache, Rich counties); Central Utah (Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne); Davis County; Salt Lake County; San Juan County; Southeast Utah (Carbon, Emery, Grand); Southwest Utah (Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Washington); Summit County; Tooele County; TriCounty (Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah); Utah County; Wasatch County; Weber-Morgan.

National and World

• CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19): Symptoms, testing, prevention, what to do if you're sick, daily life and coping, travel, FAQs, data and surveillance
• Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center: Coronavirus basics, worldwide case tracker, statistical data, maps, testing, tracing and news
• World Health Organization Coronavirus: Overview, prevention, symptoms, situation updates, research and guidance

KSL.com Coronavirus Mailbag

What do you want to know about the coronavirus? Ask your question and we'll look for the answer. (Disclaimer: Information previously reported can change and may be updated.)

• July 15: What are the statistics we should be looking at?
• June 25: How and where are people getting sick?
• June 9: No, the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over. Answers to questions after Utah’s recent spike
• May 5: Answers to questions about asymptomatic testing, cases per capita and more
• April 27: Why is Utah looking to reopen when we have not shown any decrease in cases?
• April 10: What’s the most effective material for homemade face masks?
• March 30: How long should we expect to be social distancing
• March 24: How do you get tested for COVID-19?
• March 17: When can we expect COVID-19 cases to peak?
• March 12: Answers to 14 questions you’ve asked us about COVID-19

Submit Your Questions:

What questions do you have about the COVID-19 outbreak?

Symptoms? Travel? Local response? Supplies to keep around? Click on the link above to tell us what questions you have about COVID-19, and we'll do our best to answer.

Utah's Unexpected Heroes

KSL.com readers have helped us thank the Unexpected Heroes who put themselves at risk to keep Utah running during the coronavirus pandemic.

• April 17: Hundreds of Utahns reached out to thank Utah's Unexpected Heroes in health care. Here's what they said
• April 24: 'Not all super heroes wear capes, most wear aprons': How Utah thanked its Unexpected Heroes in grocery stores
• May 1: 'Roll on, asphalt cowboys': Utah thanks its Unexpected Heroes in trucking
• May 11: Mail, packages and post office boxes: Thanking Utah's Unexpected Heroes in the USPS
• May 22: 'You have the hardest job on earth': Here's how Utahns thanked their Unexpected Heroes in law enforcement and corrections
• May 29: Over 400 Utahns thanked Utah's Unexpected Heroes in sanitation

Staying at home & managing stress

The following websites are offering information and tips on how to best shelter at home:

• CDC.gov: Daily Life and Going Out
• New York Times: At Home
• Washington Post: Your Life at Home
• Wall Street Journal: Navigating Your Life During Coronavirus

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations like COVID-19. You may feel anxious, mad, sad, or overwhelmed. It's important to find ways you and your family can reduce stress. Here are a few suggestions:

• Learn the common signs of stress.
• Make time to unwind and do activities you enjoy.
• Talk with family and friends by phone, text, or email.

If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed, get support 24/7 by calling 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

Learn more about stress and coping during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus news resources

Note: Many news sources have fully or partially lowered their paywalls to provide important information about the coronavirus pandemic. Some news sources may require a subscription.

Utah and region

• KSL.com coronavirus articles
• KSL TV
• KSL NewsRadio
• Deseret News
• The Salt Lake Tribune
• St. George News
• Standard-Examiner (Ogden)
• The Herald-Journal (Logan)
• The Daily-Herald (Provo)
• EastIdahoNews.com

National and world

• Associated Press
• The Atlantic
• BBC
• CNN
• Los Angeles Times
• New York Times
• NPR
• Wall Street Journal
• Washington Post
• Al Jazeera

How to evaluate coronavirus news and check for reliability and misinformation

Find more information on how to evaluate news sources and spot misinformation:

• Coronavirus Myths, Rumors and Misinformation: Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Coronavirus Rumor Control: FEMA.gov
• Get smart about COVID-19 misinformation: News Literacy Project
• How to Spot Fake News – COVID-19 Edition: International Federation of Library Associations
• Making media literacy great again: Columbia Journalism Review
• News Literacy in the age of Coronavirus: Center for News Literacy, Stony Brook University School of Journalism
• News Literacy Resources for Classrooms: commonsense.org
• News and Media Literacy: PBSlearningmedia.org
• Real News/Fake News: Detecting Fake News: UC Berkeley Library

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