Guides: Current Events: Coronavirus

Useful Websites

Business Ready
These resources from Orlando Health can help you decide how to open your business in a safe manner for your employees and guests.
Center for Disease Control
The CDC maintains a webpage dedicated to the coronavirus with facts and news for the average person. This page includes information on how the virus spreads, prevention, and more.
City of Orlando Coronavirus COVID-19 Response
Learn about the City of Orlando's official response to COVID-19 here.
Coronavirus.gov
Follow the White House Administration's response to the Coronavirus here.
EPI-WIN
EPI-WIN (created by WHO) seeks to give everyone access to timely, accurate, and easy-to-understand advice and information from trusted sources on public health events and outbreaks.
FactCheck.org
Protect yourself from misinformation with FactCheck.org. This website is project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center and is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network at Poynter Institute.
FEMA
Keep track of the federal government's response to the pandemic and find out ways that you can help.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is the lead agency monitoring infectious disease within the state of Florida. Check their website for the latest information.
John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
John Hopkins University & Medicine has been tracking the spread of COVID-19 and is full of expert knowledge and advice.
Mental Health
The uncertainty around COVID-19 can be a source of anxiety and stress. Take care of your mental health with these tips and local resources from the Florida Department of Health.
Orange County Government Coronavirus Response
Find out how Orange County is responding to COVID-19 on the official government website.
Snopes
Learning which rumors are fact and which are fiction can help lower anxiety surrounding COVID-19.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations' coordinating authority for global health matters. Their website includes coronavirus myth-busters, travel advice, news, and coronavirus response data.

Databases

Use these health databases to find articles and fact sheets about coronavirus.

Health and Medicine (Gale OneFile)
Created specifically for students, knowledgeable consumer health researchers and health care professionals, Gale OneFile: Health and Medicine integrates millions of articles from a wide range of nursing and allied health journals, newspapers, magazines, newsletters and select consumer health information sources. Many of the articles are full-text.
Health and Wellness (Gale)
Gale Health & Wellness is a comprehensive resource that provides integrated access to medical, statistical, health, and related information. Use this resource to find information about diabetes, cancer, obesity and depression, among other conditions. Also search within current topics in the news, drug and herbal remedies, health directories, and health highlights.

Material from this database is intended for informational purposes only, and you are encouraged to consult with your own physician to discuss any course of treatment presented or suggested here.

COVID-19 Latest Information and Updates

Governor De Santis signed an executive order announcing Phase II of reopening effective June 5th. You can read the order here and find the answers to frequently asked questions here.
Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Florida, all those working, living, visiting, or doing business in Orange County are required to wear a Face Covering consistent with the current CDC guidelines while in any public place. You can view the executive order here and view the FAQ page for the order here.. Details on how to create and properly use these masks is available from the CDC.
Orange County Public Schools have reopened. Details can be found on the OCPS website.
The State Surgeon General has issued a Public Health Advisory encouraging those in Florida to wear a face covering in situations where social distancing is not possible. It also discourages gatherings of more than 10 people.
Check local responses to the virus and latest recommendations on the Florida Department of Health website, the Florida Governor's website, the Orange County Government website, and the City of Orlando website.
As part of the Federal CARES Act, residents can apply for financial assistance at http://www.ocfl.net/OrangeCares.
Check the current cases of COVID-19 in the US on the CDC website and cases in Florida on the FDOH 's Florida COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.
The Florida Department of Health has established a COVID-19 Call Center to answer general questions residents and visitors may have. The phone number is 407-723-5004. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also email questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov
Residents of Orange County Florida can also call 407-723-5004 with questions or concerns.

(Last updated 9/21/2020)

COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment Information

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. COVID-19 is a new strain that originated in Wuhan, China and has spread around the globe. Common signs of infection have appeared 2-14 days after exposure and include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Person-to-person spread has been confirmed and is thought to occur mainly through people in close contact with one another (within about 6 ft) via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or exhales. Currently the Florida Department of Health recommends you protect yourself and others with frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face, wearing a mask in public, and social distancing.*

If you are sick and exhibiting symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, you should seek treatment with your primary care physician or urgent care center. It is recommended that residents call their provider before visiting their clinic. Check the Orange County newsroom for latest updates on local health care.
Those suspecting they may be sick with the virus should follow the CDC's guidelines.
Multiple testing sites are open in Orange County Check the Orange County government page for testing criteria, a location map, and updates.
The CDC website has a comprehensive list of symptoms associated with COVID-19 and includes an interactive self-checker that can help you decide when to seek medical attention if you suspect you may be sick.
To reduce your risk of becoming ill, follow these guidelines shared by the CDC.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available, however research is currently ongoing. Check the WHO website for updates.
Answers to more common questions on COVID-19 can be found on the CDC questions and answers page.

*Information on COVID-19 was obtained from the CDC, WHO, FDOH, and John Hopkins Medicine websites.

Health Alerts on Twitter

Get up to the minute updates on COVID-19 with state and national Twitter feeds.

Travel Advisories

Many countries are requiring mandatory quarantines on arrival and you may be required to quarantine upon return to the US. Some countries are also currently restricting the entry of travelers from the US. Further details can be found on the US Department of State website and the CDC website page for travelers.
For information on traveling to Florida during this time, consult the Visit Florida and Florida Department of Health websites.
Before deciding to travel nationally or internationally, the CDC is advising that you take the considerations listed on their website into account.