As the state’s largest privately-owned multi-specialty outpatient clinic, serving South Mississippi, the health and safety of our patients and communities is our number one priority. We take all health issues seriously, including monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus. Please read below for commonly asked questions regarding this viral disease.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The virus can be spread by tiny droplets when those who are infected cough, sneeze or talk. It can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your own mouth, nose or eyes.

Signs and Symptoms

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Severe cases have included pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ failure and in some cases death.

How Can I Protect Myself and Those Close to Me?

People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

How Does COVID-19 Disease Spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that 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, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses at https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to take everyday preventive actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and washing your hands often.

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with others.
• Wash your hands often.

Treating COVID-19

There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms. Hattiesburg Clinic follows strict guidelines in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mississippi State Department of Health to provide guidance to our patients for medical care.

(Information on this page is provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)