Coronavirus update: Top questions answered by a St. Louis area doctor

Concerns over the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, are growing in the St. Louis area.

5 On Your Side is focusing on giving you facts and not spreading fear.

So, we took some of your questions straight to one of the most respected health officials in Missouri. Dr. Alexander Garza is SSM Health's Chief Medical Officer. He addressed some of the top local questions people have and also discussed how concerned St. Louisans should be. You can read his responses below.

If you have questions or concerns about the coronavirus, you can text us at 314-444-5125. We will work to get answers for you.

And follow our latest coronavirus coverage at KSDK.com/coronavirus and on the 5 On Your Side app.

FULL STORY: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-update-doctor-answers-questions-concerns/63-4f82d191-8191-4099-9d5a-9eb6060ffc5c

What should the level of concern be right now for people in Missouri and Southern Illinois?
The risk to the general public is very low, but the situation changes day by day and sort of hour by hour almost. So, it is appropriate for people to be aware that this virus is out there.

If you catch COVID-19, would you have more immunity to it after, like the flu?
Typically, if coronavirus acts like any other virus — which there is no reason to believe that it wouldn't — then your body does build up immunity to the virus.

What are the symptoms, and when should I go to the doctor?
If you are older or have chronic conditions like Emphysema or something like that, then it's more important for you to get in contact with your physician or medical care provider sooner.

How will our local health care department handle Washington University students coming back from Italy or other people coming back from highly infected areas?
Unless they're symptomatic, it's usually sort of a self-quarantine for 14 days and that's thought to be enough time to cover the incubation period if they were going to develop an illness. And then, the health department will sometimes make contact with them to do temperature checks and ask, 'How are you feeling?' things like that.

How long does COVID-19 survive on surfaces?
Not long. If it follows the typical coronavirus, then it won't survive on surfaces very long, but it's easily inactivated with disinfectant products.

Below are more questions St. Louisans are asking. These were researched and written based on information 5 On Your Side gathered.

Do I need a face mask?
Many people are wondering if they need a face mask -- and are worried about price gouging.

Yes, some of these masks are going for hundreds of dollars on Amazon, and local stores are in short supply

But luckily, you really don't need a mask unless you are the one with the virus, or if you're working in the medical field.

Masks stop germs from spreading. They're not necessarily helpful in protecting yourself from the virus.

Are infected people recovering?
People also want to know what happens to people after they're infected with the virus.

There's some good news here, according to Dr. Sean Whelan from Washington University's Department of Molecular Biology.

"People are OK after they get the virus, 98% who get tested recover and then presumably are immune for the rest of their life," Whelan said.

Is it safe to travel?
We've also received several questions about travel. You might need to change your plans, depending on where you're headed.

The Centers for Disease Control says only travel to China and South Korea if necessary.

If you're older or have a serious medical condition, avoid Japan, Iran, and Italy.

If you're staying in the states, You should be good to go.

Many airports say they're keeping a close eye on the virus, like LAX, which is sanitizing the airport every hour.

Could my online orders carry coronavirus?
People are worried about online orders from China, from sites like Amazon or Wish.

But according to the Centers for Disease Control, there's little chance the virus would spread like this.

There's no evidence that coronavirus in the US is associated with imported goods.

So right now, don't worry about your online shopping habits.