While cases of a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus are being confirmed in many parts of the world, Guthrie County Public Health advises residents that the threat of influenza looms much larger.

The most recent data released by the Iowa Department of Public Health shows that while almost 50 people in the state have been monitored and eight people have been tested for novel coronavirus, also referred as COVID-19, zero cases have returned positive. Influenza activity is widespread in Iowa currently, and Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber says the two viruses share similar symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea, “The big difference between COVID-19 and influenza, is influenza is here and prevalent and COVID-19 is not. The other big difference is probably what we think right now is in the way that it’s transmitted. They’re both airborne, but COVID-19 can last a little bit longer in that they just have some structural differences.”

Arber says for a state with rural populations like Iowa, the current risk to COVID-19 exposure is low, and he advises people to be more wary of the flu, which has caused over 35 deaths in Iowa this season. He stresses for any respiratory virus, good tactics are to clean your hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or upper arm, and contain germs by staying home when sick.