Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center

Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It’s part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold.

The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after being infected. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Right now, medical experts think that COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze or kiss. However, since COVID-19 is a new disease, scientists around the globe are racing to learn more about it.

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Check the CDC website for up-to-date information. If you’re traveling, you’ll want to visit the CDC travel page for their most current travel guidelines. CDC information for household members and caregivers can be found at this CDC webpage.

There are currently no prescription drugs approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can be used to treat COVID-19. Several recent media reports have focused on new and existing antiviral drugs being tested for use in treating COVID-19. None of these drugs are approved for use with COVID-19, and many are still being investigated. We’re monitoring developments in this area closely and will evaluate how benefits will cover treatments once treatments are approved.

A vaccine is not available yet. Several vaccines are being tested, but they’re still in the very early stages of development. After that, they’ll need to go through clinical trials to be sure they are both safe and effective before they’d be ready for the public.