9 things to know about the coronavirus

Across the globe people are keeping a close eye on the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Channel 9 sorted through the information being provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to compile nine things you need to know about the virus.

>>>INTERACTIVE MAP: Track coronavirus cases around the world<<<

Coronavirus outbreak: What you need to know Coronavirus outbreak: What you need to know

1) No cases have been reported in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday to discuss the state’s preparations for the virus, as well as current testing and preventative measures that have been put into place. You can click here to read more or watch the video below for his full discussion.

2) The risk of getting COVID-19 in the U.S. is low, according to the CDC. But if you have traveled to places where many others have gotten sick with the virus you may be monitored by health officials to protect your health and the health of other people in the community.

READ: Coronavirus: How to prepare for potential outbreak

3) Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity. While the spread of COVID-19 first began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the CDC says people of Asian descent are no more likely to get the virus than anyone else.

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4) The CDC says you can help stop the spread of the virus by knowing the symptoms: fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you experience those symptoms and have traveled somewhere where the virus is prevalent within the past 14 days, the CDC recommends seeking medical attention.

How to prepare for potential Coronavirus outbreak How to prepare for potential Coronavirus outbreak

5) The best way to not get sick is to wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you are sick, the CDC recommends to stay home and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.

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6) In the U.S., the CDC said there have been 15 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Three of those cases were spread from person-to-person and 12 were travel-related, according to the CDC. Those cases were reported in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin. The CDC said an additional 39 cases were reported among repatriated U.S. citizens, residents, and their families returning from Hubei province, China, and from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was docked in Yokohama, Japan. No deaths have been reported in the U.S.

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7) The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. The CDC says facemasks should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

Video: Face masks give ?false sense of security? against coronavirus, health expert says, as store supplies run low If you?re trying to buy face masks in stores across Central Florida, you might run into some issues.

8) Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people, according to the CDC.

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9) The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to South Korea and the People’s Republic of China, which does not include Hong Kong, Macau, or the island of Taiwan. The CDC is also warning that Iran, Italy and Japan are experiencing sustained community transmission of COVID-19.

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