A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans​ and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced​ an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan,​ China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.

​​There are many types​ of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

COVID-19 is a new disease and the CDC is still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States. Currently, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person as follows:

• 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. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
• ​It 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.

COVID-19 presents with flu-like symptoms (fever (>100.4°F), cough or sore throat, headache or body aches, and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting) or acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath).​

​At this time, most U.S. workers remain at low risk of exposure. According to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, at this time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that, while the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 poses a potentially serious public health threat, the risk to individuals is dependent on exposure. For most people in the United States, including most types of workers, the risk of infection with COVID-19 is currently low.

​Elderly people with chronic conditions are currently the most at risk from complications from COVID-19. Given the vulnerable populations within the State’s care, careful adherence to guidelines issued by Wisconsin Public Health, supervisors,​ and human resources is essential. Employees with flu-like symptoms need to stay home.

The CDC advises that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. There are simple everyday actions everyone can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• 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.

Employees who are sick are required to stay home. According to the CDC​, employees who have flu-like symptoms or symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (>100.4°F), signs of a fever, AND any respiratory symptoms (for example, couch, shortness of breath) for at least three days (72 hours) without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants) AND seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Employees should follow their work unit’s sick leave notification procedures, including notifying their supervisor and staying home if they are sick.

​If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever (>100.4°F) and/or symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately BEFORE going to the clinic or emergency room.

Employees who regularly work in health care settings, including health care providers, support staff, and security staff, must remain home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours. The CDC has provided additional guidance for health care providers who provide direct patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19​.

Employees returning from a CDC Level 3 travel advisory area (click link to view current list on CDC website), may not return to the workplace for 14 days. To protect the community, employees are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms (fever (>100.4°F), cough, shortness of breath) during this time.

For those returning from any location under a Level 2 CDC Travel Health Notice, employees are advised to self-monitor for 14 days for symptoms (fever (>100.4°F), cough, shortness of breath).

Employees who are not permitted to return to the workplace following return from a CDC Level 3 travel advisory area, or who develop symptoms while self-monitoring, should notify their supervisor and/or local HR that they will not be into work. For more information, see the CDC’s guidance on prevention and treatment.

If you become sick with COVID-19 following travel, in addition to the information provided by your healthcare provider, here are steps to take when you are sick​​.

Employees who are sick with COVID-19 or suspect they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 should follow the steps identified by the CDC to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. Employees may not return to work until they are free of fever (>100.4°F) AND respiratory symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath) for at least three days (72 hours) without the use of fever-reducing medicine AND seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Contact the DHS Division of Public Health or your local health department for more information.

The CDC recommends employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment​ of their potential exposure.

Additional up-to-date resources and information about COVID-19 can be found here:

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• Centers fo Disease Control & Prevention
• United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration
• United States Department of State​
  

As the COVID-19 virus has reached community spread levels throughout the United States, specific regional travel restrictions are no longer relevant. All in-state business travel, regardless of location, has been limited to essential operational needs where no reasonable alternative is available. Regarding perosnal travel, all employees should refer to the travel advice available from DHS and the CDC. ​

Employees with the following symptoms are typically sick and should contact their health care provider. In most cases, you will be advised to self-isolate by staying home and not coming to work until you​ are free of fever (>100.4°F), signs of a fever, AND respiratory symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath) for at least three days (72 hours) without the use of fever-reducing medicine AND seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared:

• *Flu-like symptoms [fever of 100.4° F or higher (with an oral thermometer)]
• *Cough or sore throat
• Headache or body aches
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• *Symptoms of acute respiratory illness (fever of 100.4° F or higher using an oral thermometer), coughing, shortness of breath
*Denotes COVID-19 Symptoms