While scientists work to contain the coronavirus outbreak and come up with effective treatments, health experts say people can still prepare and guard against infection.
@ABC News spoke with health experts for the latest information on how to stay safe:https://abcn.ws/38bNyUW
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Since the symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia, influenza and the common cold, only a diagnostic test can confirm whether an individual has coronavirus.https://abcn.ws/2wZ48e1
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How is it transmitted? Person-to-person transmission is mostly likely between people in close contact. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, respiratory droplets could land on people nearby or could possibly be inhaled by those people.https://abcn.ws/2wZ48e1
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While it's possible the virus could be transmitted by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with COVID-19, health experts don't currently believe that's primarily how it's transmitted.https://abcn.ws/2wZ48e1
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How does COVID-19 compare to the flu? COVID-19 appears to be more fatal than the flu, with a fatality rate believed to be around 2%, while the flu's fatality rate is less than 1%. Compared to past coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, however, most COVID-19 cases are mild.
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Should I wear a face mask? Not unless you are the one who is sick. The CDC doesn’t currently recommend any healthy person wear a mask, and doctors warn fiddling with putting on and taking off a mask could backfire by exposing your hands to your face.https://abcn.ws/2wZ48e1
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How concerned should I be? Concerned enough to pay attention. Stay on top of CDC updates and guidance, as well as from state and local health departments. Take the time to plan for what you'll do if local transmission of the virus occurs in your city.https://abcn.ws/2wZ48e1
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