Best defense against Corona - or any -virus: Wash your hands

At some point, most people have experienced sniffling, aching, coughing, stuffy head and fever associated with the human coronavirus.

But symptoms of the common cold differ from COVID-19, a new or novel disease not previously seen in humans.

Here's what is known, according to Dr. Michael Mina, assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard Medical School:

• COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China, on Dec. 8, 2019;

• Officials assumed the virus was caused by zoonotic - animal to human - transmission; and

• Researchers identified the genome sequence of the virus within a month.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory difficulties, fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Medical experts urge individuals experiencing any of these symptoms to contact a healthcare professional, especially if they have traveled to an area with widespread or community spread of the virus or have been in contact with persons known to have the virus.

One of the best practices to reduce the spread of viral infections is regular handwashing with warm water and soap.

Roger Wiese, director of the North Central District Health Department, in O'Neill, said, "Be diligent with the soap and water."

The CDC recommends applying soap and lathering the palms, backs of hands, between fingers and under the nails. Then, scrub for at least 20 seconds, or better yet, sing the "ABC" song from beginning to end.

Rinse with clean, running water and either dry with a clean towel or let hands air dry.

What if soap and water aren't available?

Wiese said an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol, may be used, but it's important to remember that while sanitizers quickly reduce the amount of germs on hands, they may not get rid of all types of germs.

Sanitizer should be applied to the palm of one hand and rubbed over hands and fingers for 20 seconds, or until hands are dry.

As of March 2, the World Health Organization confirms 88,948 cases of COVID-19 in more than 60 countries have been identified, with 2,915 deaths reported in China and 128 deaths occurring in other countries.

Forty-three total cases have been reported in the U.S., with cases noted in 10 states. Two individuals have died from the virus.

influenza rates are higher.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza presents a greater health risk than the new coronavirus.

Since Oct. 1, between 19 million and 32 million Americans have been infected with influenza; 310,000 have been hospitalized and 18,000 deaths from flu have been reported, according to the CDC.