2019 Novel Coronavirus FAQ for Schools Issued: 2/18/2020
Q: What is 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
A: 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Q: How does the virus spread?
A: Many of the initial patients in the outbreak had a link to a large seafood and live animal market in Wuhan, China, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, the virus is now being spread person-toperson, primarily in China. Most often, spread from person-to-person happens among close contacts (about 6 feet), mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It’s currently unclear if a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.
Q: Is COVID-19 the same as other coronaviruses?
A: It is important to understand that there are seven different coronaviruses known to infect humans. Four of the seven coronaviruses are very common, cause milder symptoms (similar to the common cold) and most people will be infected with at least one of these in their lifetime. The other three of the seven coronaviruses are rare and can cause more severe illness; these include the COVID-19.
Q: Is there a risk for COVID-19 from products or packages shipped from China?
A: People receiving imported goods from China are not at risk of contracting COVID-19. Coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.
Q: What if a student recently returned from travel to China?
A: Individuals returning to the U.S. from the People’s Republic of China may require symptom monitoring and home isolation, as directed by state and local public health officials. Note: this does not include travel from the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, or the island of Taiwan. Individuals with recent travel to any other country do not require any specific monitoring, testing or isolation. As always, it is recommended individuals ill with any infectious disease stay home while ill to prevent spread to others.
Q: What if a student has a household or close contact with recent travel to China, even though the student did not travel?
A: Contacts of recent travelers to China who did not travel should be free to attend school, as normal. In the event a case of COVID-19 is identified in Iowa, contacts of the case will be evaluated for risk by public health and potentially monitored, isolated or tested, per CDC guidance.
Q: What is the risk of the COVID-19 to Iowans? Are certain groups of people more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than others?
A: Currently, the risk for COVID-19 is associated with recent travel to China, not race or country of origin. Overall, the COVID-19 risk to Iowans remains low at this time.
Q: Who should I call if I have questions?
A: Please contact IDPH’s Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) at (800) 362-2736.
