(RxWiki News) The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at publication time, 2,932,596 coronavirus cases and 130,133 related deaths had been reported in the US.
However, the CDC noted that the agency does not know the exact number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. This is because symptoms might not appear immediately, there is a delay in reporting and testing, and they know many people are not getting tested or seeking medical care. Plus, the CDC noted that there may be differences in how states are confirming COVID-19 numbers.
New information continues to become available as health officials learn more about the virus.
Months ago, the CDC issued a recommendation for using simple cloth face coverings in public to help slow the spread of the virus.
Some states and cities followed suit, but face coverings were not always a requirement. Now, more and more cities are mandating cloth face coverings in public.
Here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself from COVID-19:
- Avoid large crowds and practice social distancing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands frequently. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, you can use hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs and other places that are touched often.
As coronavirus cases continue to increase, the search for an effective treatment also continues.
Many potential COVID-19 medications have made the news over the last several months. Recently, for example, the FDA granted remdesivir Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe illness.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were being studied in clinical trials for COVID-19. These drugs were being given to patients who were being treated for COVID-19 in hospital settings.
These medications actually were approved through EUAs for use as COVID-19 treatments, but then, the FDA issued a warning against the use of these medications outside of hospital settings. This warning was because of risks tied to these medications.
Furthermore, the FDA stated that neither of these medications had been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing COVID-19.
