What you need to know to stop the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that rapidly spreads from person to person and causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, fever or chills, fatigue, muscle aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Scientists, health officials and medical professionals at WVU and around the world are working at unprecedented speed to help halt the spread of COVID-19 and to develop safe and effective treatments and a vaccine.

COVID-19 has upended daily life on campus and in our communities and has forced us to think differently and take specific health and safety measures to protect our communities. It is important to understand that some of our community members will contract the COVID-19 virus. Because of this, all of us play a role in protecting the health of others and ourselves.

Common Questions About the Vaccine

With increasing hospitalizations across the state due to COVID-19, three WVU experts answer common questions about the safety of the vaccine and how to best protect yourself and others.

Public Health and Safety

Until we have an approved treatment or vaccine, you can protect yourself and others with a few simple guidelines.

Get vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated.

Watch the “Three Cs” — close, continuous contact with others; crowds; and, close spaces.

Maintain physical distancing to at least 6 feet from others outside your immediate family and friends circle.

Increasing the physical distance between individuals reduces transmission of the virus.

Wear a mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose.

You should not remove them during conversations.

Dr. Kathy Moffett explains why it’s important to wear your mask or face covering and how to properly put them on.

The spread of COVID-19 can be controlled when 80% of a population wears face coverings and face masks properly.

Mask Myth Busting

Keep your environment and your hands clean.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer when touching public surfaces. Humming the chorus of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is an easy way to estimate.

  • Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes, which can introduce the virus.
  • Cover your face when sneezing or coughing (even when wearing a mask).
  • Limit touching shared surfaces to reduce the spread of the virus.

Podcast

WVU and the Coronavirus

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Information from Spring 2020

All information listed below is relevant to the 2020 Spring Semester.