Gov. Brad Little said Tuesday that caretakers for people vulnerable to severe illness from the COVID-19 virus need to hold themselves to the same standards recommended for at-risk populations.

AARP Idaho hosted a telephone town hall with Little, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen and state epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn.

“If you are a caretaker, the standard is exactly the same for you as it is for the person who is compromised,” Little said.

The World Health Organization has determined that the COVID-19 has an incubation period of about 1-14 days. On average, the virus remains dormant for five days, meaning a person has the virus, but does not have symptoms of the disease.

Public health officials are concerned with caregiver exposure to the virus prior to the presentation of symptoms.

The Center for Disease Control recommends all people, but especially vulnerable populations, avoid crowds, especially in poorly-ventilated spaces. The risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation.

The CDC has said that older adults and individuals of any age with underlying medical conditions are at an increased risk of serious complications if they contract the COVID-19 virus.

The following medical conditions are included in the CDC’s assessment: blood disorders; chronic kidney disease; chronic liver disease; compromised immune system or immunosuppression; current or recent pregnancy in the last two weeks; endocrine disorders; metabolic disorders; heart disease; lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen; and neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions.

The telephone town hall provided a platform for the general public to ask questions, with the majority focusing on the availability of tests for the virus.

Little formed a working group last week to ensure communities throughout the state have resources prepared for an influx of virus cases, including test kits.

He stressed the importance of Idahoans taking care of one another and looking out for their neighbors.

“There is going to be an increase in [COVID-19],” Little said. “We are doing everything we can to control that increase so our healthcare system can handle it.”