For now, Hota said, if you’re coughing or exhibiting other symptoms, it’s more likely you have another common cold or flu — not this new coronavirus.
“We’re still seeing a good amount of flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is another common respiratory virus this time of year,” she said.
“There are more than 200 respiratory viruses that tend to circulate this time of year. You’re much more likely to get one of those infections than this novel coronavirus right now in this area.”
To protect yourself, you should do the same kinds of things that you would do for any virus, according to the WHO: avoiding close contact with infected people, washing your hands frequently, and practising good cough etiquette — meaning covering your mouth and coughing into your elbow, rather than toward other people.