• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

Washington state - Covid-19 Cases and news- 76,836 cases; 1,953 deaths

Treyfish

Moderator
First US case of Wuhan coronavirus confirmed by CDC

By Elizabeth Cohen, CNN Senior Medical Correspondent

Updated 4:07 PM ET, Tue January 21, 2020The United States has its first confirmed case of a new virus that appeared in Wuhan, China, last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday. The coronavirus has already sickened hundreds and killed six people in Asia.


CDC officials said the United States will be more strict about health screenings of airplane passengers arriving from Wuhan.
The patient, who is not being named, is in isolation at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. He is in his 30s and lives in Snohomish County, Washington, just north of Seattle.
He arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on January 15, before any health screenings for the Wuhan coronavirus began at US airports. He sought medical care on January 19. The CDC and Washington state are now tracing the people he was in contact with to see if he might have spread the disease to someone else.
"We believe the risk to the public is low," said John Wiesman, secretary of health for the state of Washington.
The patient became ill four days after arriving in the United States and sought care. Based on the patient's symptoms and travel history, doctors suspected the novel Wuhan coronavirus and sent specimens to the CDC in Atlanta, where tests Monday confirmed the virus.
The patient is faring well but is still being kept in isolation out of an abundance of caution, health officials said. Health screenings at more US airports


Soon, passengers from Wuhan to the United States, whether on direct or indirect flights, will only be allowed to land at one of the five US airports doing health screenings. Screenings include a temperature check and observation for symptoms such as a cough and trouble breathing....
Starting this week, Wuhan passengers will also be screened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
The CDC raised its travel notice for Wuhan, China, from level 1 to level 2 of three possible levels, according to its website. As of Tuesday afternoon, the agency advised travelers to "practice enhanced precautions." The highest level, "Warning - Level 3," advises travelers to "avoid nonessential travel." Person-to-person transmission of Wuhan virus


The Wuhan coronavirus is in the same family as severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which killed more than 700 people in 2002 and 2003, and Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS.
To date, the Wuhan coronavirus has infected more than 300 people and killed six in an outbreak that has struck China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and now the US....:tiphat:https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/21/healt...-bn/index.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/21/cdc...oronavirus-that-has-killed-6-cnn-reports.html


CDC confirms first US case of coronavirus that has killed 6 in China
Published Tue, Jan 21 20201:25 PM ESTUpdated Moments Ago
Berkeley Lovelace Jr.


Key Points

Public health officials have confirmed the first U.S. case of a mysterious coronavirus that has already killed at least 6 people and sickened hundreds of others in China, according to two reports.
A White House spokesman declined to comment, referring calls to the CDC. The CDC did not immediately respond to CNBC’s inquiries about the report.


... A traveler from China has been diagnosed in Seattle with the Wuhan coronavirus, according to Reuters.The CDC is expected to make the announcement at a media briefing scheduled for this afternoon, CNN reported...

...This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
 
U.S cases

..The man, in his 30s, is in stable condition at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash. Officials said they are monitoring him there out of an abundance of caution, not because he is seriously ill. The man returned to the United States last week, before federal health officials began screening travelers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan at Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York’s John F. Kennedy international airports, the first such effort since the 2014 Ebola outbreak....
The Washington state man’s case occurred several days before airport screening began, but local, state and federal officials said they were on alert and quickly collaborated to test him and put precautions in place. A small number of health-care workers and patients who may have been exposed to him have been told to watch for symptoms and are being monitored...

:tiphat:https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...virus-us-case/
 
Last edited:
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsa...n-and-out-of-wuhan-to-stem-coronavirus-spread

snip:


The first case of an infection with a new coronavirus has been discovered in the U.S. A person traveling from Wuhan, China, to Washington state was diagnosed with pneumonia last week. Subsequent tests showed that the person has the virus, which can cause pneumonia. In severe cases the coronavirus can lead to death. The case was detected prior to the implementation of screening at three U.S. airports last Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to announce details at a press conference this afternoon...
 
[h=1]CDC Telebriefing: Update on 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)[/h]
Media Advisory
Embargoed Until: Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 3:00 p.m. ET
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

What
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide an update on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus response.

Who
Nancy Messonnier, M.D., Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

When
2 p.m. ET Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Dial-In
Media: 877-601-4718
Non-Media: 888-603-9752
INTERNATIONAL: 1-773-756-4803
PASSCODE: CDC Media

Important Instructions
If you would like to ask a question during the call, press *1 on your touchtone phone. Press *2 to withdraw your question. You may queue up at any time. You will hear a tone to indicate your question is pending.

TRANSCRIPT
A transcript will be available following the briefing at CDC’s web site: www.cdc.gov/media.

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/a0121-novel-coronavirus.html
 
Missed first 25 minutes of teleconference - was on hold...


Man arrived in Seattle, Washington on January 15, on January 19 he reached out to medical provider. Results on January 20. He is clinically not ill.

Contact tracing started today, January 21.

Patient is a resident of Snohomish County, Washington state. Currently at Providence Medical Center. He is clinically not ill. Healthy.

Chicago and Atlanta will add screening this week.

All passengers from Wuhan will be re-routed to LAX, SFO, JFK, and now also Chicago and Atlanta.

NIH is involved regarding diagnostics and possible vaccine development.
 
[h=1]First Travel-related Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Detected in United States[/h]
Press Release
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed the first case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States in the state of Washington. The patient recently returned from Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of pneumonia caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019. While originally thought to be spreading from animal-to-person, there are growing indications that limited person-to-person spread is happening. It’s unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people.

The patient from Washington with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection returned to the United States from Wuhan on January 15, 2020. The patient sought care at a medical facility in the state of Washington, where the patient was treated for the illness. Based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms, healthcare professionals suspected this new coronavirus. A clinical specimen was collected and sent to CDC overnight, where laboratory testing yesterday confirmed the diagnosis via CDC’s Real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test.

CDC has been proactively preparing for the introduction of 2019-nCoV in the United States for weeks, including:
  • First alerting clinicians on January 8, 2020, to be on the look-out for patients with respiratory symptoms and a history of travel to Wuhan, China.
  • Developing guidance for clinicians for testing and management of 2019-nCoV, as well as guidance for home care of patients with 2019-nCoV.
  • Developing a diagnostic test to detect this virus in clinical specimens, accelerating the time it takes to detect infection. Currently, testing for this virus must take place at CDC, but in the coming days and weeks, CDC will share these tests with domestic and international partners
  • On January 17, 2020, CDC began implementing public health entry screening at San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), and Los Angeles (LAX) airports. This week CDC will add entry health screening at two more airports – Atlanta (ATL) and Chicago (ORD).
  • CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support to the 2019-nCoV response.
CDC is working closely with the state of Washington and local partners. A CDC team has been deployed to support the ongoing investigation in the state of Washington, including potentially tracing close contacts to determine if anyone else has become ill.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people, such as has been seen with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). When person-to-person spread has occurred with SARS and MERS, it is thought to happen via respiratory droplets with close contacts, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. The situation with regard to 2019-nCoV is still unclear. While severe illness, including illness resulting in several deaths, has been reported in China, other patients have had milder illness and been discharged. Symptoms associated with this virus have included fever, cough and trouble breathing. The confirmation that some limited person-to-person spread with this virus is occurring in Asia raises the level of concern about this virus, but CDC continues to believe the risk of 2019-nCoV to the American public at large remains low at this time.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. CDC will continue to update the public as circumstances warrant.

For more information about the current outbreak in China, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html
###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0121-novel-coronavirus-travel-death.html
 
OFFICIAL INSIGHTS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH – SEATTLE & KING COUNTY STAFF

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS IN WASHINGTON

Meredith Li-Vollmer

Today, the Washington Department of Health confirmed the first case in the U.S. of a new novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV) in Snohomish County. The virus emerged in Wuhan, China in December and a number of countries, including the United States, are actively screening incoming travelers at airports that receive direct flights from Wuhan. Exported cases have been confirmed in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

The risk to the public in King County of infection from this novel coronavirus is low, although the emergence of any new virus presents a challenge to public health and health care systems. We asked Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, about the 2019 novel coronavirus and what we might expect.

How severe is the illness from 2019 novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV)?


Jeff Duchin: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They usually cause mild respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. There have been coronaviruses that have caused more severe illness, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

As with any newly emerging infectious disease, knowledge evolves with time. Early on, it is difficult to know the source of the disease, how effectively it spreads from person to person, and the spectrum of illness – how severe the infection is. These questions are answered over time as investigations provide accurate information. According to reports, most of the hundreds of people who have been infected have not had serious illness, although there have been several deaths.

Is there any information about how 2019 nCoV spreads?


Initially some patients were linked to a live seafood and meat market in Wuhan, but cases continued to emerge after the market was closed on January 1. Based on what we know today, the 2019 nCoV can be transmitted from person to person and it appears to do so more readily than first reported by Chinese authorities, though it’s unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people.

How concerned should people in King County be about this novel coronavirus?


Overall, public health professionals and healthcare providers should be concerned and stay informed in order to rapidly identify and appropriately manage persons who may be infected with 2019 nCoV.

However, at this time the risk to the general public is low, given that there is only one case identified in Washington and the lack of evidence of easy spread. In addition, even in China there have been relatively few cases identified to-date relative to the size of the population. As a point of comparison, there have been a few hundred cases and less than a dozen deaths reported globally as of today, while in a typical flu season there are hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. alone.

Did the person from Snohomish who has been diagnosed with 2019 nCoV expose others while traveling through SeaTac airport?


The person did not have symptoms while at SeaTac International Airport which would make transmission less likely. CDC is currently evaluating whether there were any exposures of concern. He sought medical attention soon after experiencing symptoms and followed procedures to prevent exposure to others. He was quickly isolated in accordance with CDC guidance, so the risk of exposure from this case is low.

What is being done to identify and prevent the spread of 2019 nCoV?


Airport screening by CDC is underway at airports receiving the majority travelers from Wuhan, China. Later this week, all travelers from Wuhan will be routed through those airports that have screening. Although this screening may identify ill persons, the main value is in providing information to travelers returning from areas where outbreaks are occurring on what to do if they develop symptoms. Because it is not possible to identify all people who may be incubating an infection through screening, clinicians and healthcare systems must remain alert and ask persons with respiratory symptoms about their travel history.

International travelers should also be aware of this outbreak in China and be sure to review guidance for international travelers from the CDC at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

We’re also working with the healthcare system to help them detect any infections as quickly as possible. In January, Public Health issued two health advisories to King County healthcare providers and hospitals providing guidance on identifying and evaluating persons at risk for this new infection. Our partners at the Northwest Healthcare Response Network are also standing ready to provide coordination with healthcare partners.

The continual emergence and rapid international spread of new infectious agents is an example of why we need a strong public health system that is coordinated with the clinical healthcare delivery system. There is much we don’t know about this new coronavirus, and ongoing close collaboration between public health and clinical health care providers will be essential in limiting transmission in the U.S.

When should you seek medical attention for 2019 nCoV?


If you’ve traveled from the Wuhan area of China and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider before going to get care and tell them about your symptoms and travel. They can provide you instructions for seeking care so that you do not expose others.

Is there a vaccine in the works for 2019 nCoV?


Currently, there is no vaccine for this virus or other coronaviruses, although scientists at NIH reported they are going to take steps towards the development of a vaccine.

More information on 2019 novel coronavirus is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Originally posted on January 21, 2020.

https://publichealthinsider.com/2020...in-washington/
 
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/rep...B4INKJSILDIFI/
.By: KIRO7 News Staff
Updated: January 21, 2020 - 8:16 PM
... Officials said he took a group mode of transportation to get home from the hospital, then began to show symptoms on the 16th. He sought treatment at an unnamed local clinic for symptoms of pneumonia on Sunday.
Tests for coronavirus were confirmed on Monday, officials said, and he was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center.

....
The current patient in Washington stated he did not visit the market.

The Wuhan market with the illegal animal trade was already closed down during his visit.
I think there might be an error in this article. The public transport ride might have been from the airport to his home, rather than getting home from the hopsital.
 
Source: https://www.heraldnet.com/news/when-the-coronavirus-patient-turned-up-providence-was-ready/

When the coronavirus patient turned up, Providence was ready
A Snohomish County man, the first U.S. patient known to be infected, is in a special bio-containment room.
by Caleb Hutton and Andrea Brown
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 2:08pmLocal NewsEverett

EVERETT — The first patient in North America known to be carrying a new Chinese coronavirus remained in isolation at a north Everett hospital Wednesday, in a room with a special air system, separated from other patients.

“It’s like a hospital room,” said Dr. Jay Cook, chief of surgery at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. “It’s not stark. It’s not like a prison cell.”

Cook didn’t know when the man would be discharged...
 
Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020


The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

What is happening?


On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health announced the first case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States in Washington state.

The patient recently returned from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, where an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December.

2019 novel coronavirus is concerning because it’s a new strain and can cause pneumonia.​

We will be updating this page daily with the number of people who are currently being monitored due to having close contact with the confirmed case.

Close contacts being monitored: 16

Last updated: Jan 22, 2020 at 4:30 PM.

How is it spread?


Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
  • The air by coughing and sneezing
  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
  • Rarely, fecal contamination
What are the symptoms?


Symptoms of coronavirus may include:
  • Runny nose
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • A general feeling of being unwell
If you have traveled to/from Wuhan City and have symptoms, contact a health care provider.

If you have been notified by public health authorities that you might have been exposed, please follow instructions provided by your Local Health Department.

How can people protect themselves?


There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection. You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by doing the following:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home while you are sick
  • Avoid close contact with others
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
What is the treatment?


There are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses. Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. However, you can do some things to relieve your symptoms, including:
  • Take pain and fever medications (caution: do not give aspirin to children)
  • Use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough
  • If you are mildly sick, you should drink plenty of liquids, stay home and rest
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
 
He's reported to be doing well. Local media and health officials are doing a good job explaining the low risk to the public.

https://komonews.com/news/local/aft...han-coronavirus-seattle-mans-life-has-changed
by Alfred Charles, KOMONews.com Executive Producer
Wednesday, January 22nd 2020
...
  • Hospital staffers use a robot with a stethoscope to care for the man, an attempt to limit physical contact with him.
  • The patient resides in bio-containment room that is about 20x20, and it has security guards and four specially trained nurses who are assigned to his case.
  • Only 10-12 credentialed healthcare workers have access to room, and only a very few of them have have actually been inside his quarters.
 
[h=1]News Release[/h]
For immediate release: January 24, 2020 (20-010)

Contact: Lisa Stromme Warren, Washington State Department of Health, 360-628-7883 [h=3]Update on statewide response to 2019 novel coronavirus: contact investigation continues[/h]
OLYMPIASince announcing the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus in Washington, several local and state agencies continue to work on a multi-faceted public health response. While the risk to the public remains low, epidemiologists at the county, state and federal levels are hard at work on a contact investigation to identify, notify, and monitor those who came into close contact with the patient who tested positive for 2019 n-CoV.

The current number of close contacts stands at 50. This is the number of close contacts being actively monitored in Washington state. We plan to update the number of close contacts daily at 3pm here on the Department of Health website.

The patient who tested positive for 2019 n-CoV remains in satisfactory condition at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and no discharge date has been set.

We know that the patient traveled to Sea-Tac on January 15[SUP]th[/SUP] before he became ill. We are notifying other people from Washington who were sitting close by the patient on the airplane in an abundance of caution.

The Washington State Department of Health, in collaboration with local health departments, is investigating a few individuals (unrelated to the first patient/case) for the novel coronavirus infection. Should they test positive we will notify the public. As a reminder, respiratory illnesses are very common at this time of year.

...
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Art...l-coronavirus-contact-investigation-continues

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020



The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
What is happening?


On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health announced the first case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States in Washington state.

The patient recently returned from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, where an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December.

2019 novel coronavirus is concerning because it’s a new strain and can cause pneumonia.​

We will be updating this page daily with the number of confirmed cases and people who are currently being monitored due to having close contact with a confirmed case. [TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 1, cellspacing: 1"]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Snohomish[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Close contacts being monitored: 69

Last updated: Jan 25, 2020 at 3:00 PM.
...
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
 
Last edited:
... [h=2]What is happening?[/h]
On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health announced the first case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States in Washington state.

The patient recently returned from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, where an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December.

2019 novel coronavirus is concerning because it’s a new strain and can cause pneumonia.​

We will be updating this page daily with the number of confirmed cases and people who are currently being monitored due to having close contact with a confirmed case. [TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 1, cellspacing: 1"]
[TR]
County Confirmed cases [/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Snohomish[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Close contacts being monitored: 64

Last updated: Jan 26, 2020 at 3:20 PM.
...

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
 
They haven't heard from their family in 3 days. Their aunt and uncle have the virus and their parents are quarantined. Food and supplies are running out. They are so upset they closed their business and won't be celebrating the holiday. They are going to collect supplies to send to Wuhan.

https://komonews.com/news/local/sea...-familys-life-amid-wuhan-coronavirus-outbreak [h=1]Seattle restaurant fears for family's life amid Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in Chinaby Suzanne Phan | KOMO News[/h] Saturday, January 25th 2020
 
January 26, 2020

Three UW students in Seattle screened for novel coronavirus

Victor Balta
UW News

The University of Washington was notified by Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) that three students from the UW’s Seattle campus are being screened for the novel (new) coronavirus. These three students recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and developed symptoms after returning. One person lives off campus, and that student’s test was negative for infection. Two students live in on-campus housing and are awaiting their test results. These are not confirmed cases. The two students awaiting test results are being monitored by PHSKC and have moved to isolated housing until they are cleared by PHSKC.

While awaiting test results, the University is working closely with PHSKC to ensure precautions are taken to minimize risk to the campus and others in the community. Testing is a precautionary measure, and PHSKC anticipates most persons tested will not have the infection. None of the UW students were hospitalized, and all are doing very well.

As of January 26, there is only one case of confirmed novel coronavirus infection in Washington state. It is in Snohomish County and is not related to the UW community.

We are asking everyone — and, importantly, students in communal living situations, including on-campus housing, fraternities and sororities — to take steps we always recommended to protect yourself and others, and to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, especially during cold and flu season:
  • Stay home when you are sick to prevent others from being exposed to your illness.
  • If you see a health care provider for fever and cough, ask for a surgical mask to help prevent spread of infection when in the health care setting.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and immediately dispose of the tissue.
  • Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
If you have recently traveled to Wuhan, China, (within 14 days) and are having fever and respiratory symptoms (such as coughing or shortness of breath), contact your primary care provider. Call your health care provider before arriving so they can prepare for your visit.
UW-related travel

This coronavirus outbreak began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. A number of countries, including the United States, have been actively screening incoming travelers from China. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised their travel advisory to a level 3: CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Hubei Province, China, including Wuhan. If you have questions about UW-related travel to or from an area with confirmed cases of coronavirus, please contact the UW Office of Global Affairs.

Coronavirus information

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread among people. Several coronaviruses cause the common cold. Other types of previous coronavirus outbreaks have included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The CDC states that the current risk to the American public of becoming infected with this novel coronavirus is low.

How to get additional reliable information
The University’s Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases is monitoring the outbreak in coordination with PHSKC. The committee will provide updated information to the campus community as the situation evolves.

# # #

CONTACT: Victor Balta, balta@uw.edu

https://www.washington.edu/news/2020...l-coronavirus/
 
News Release


Contact: Joint Information Center, Washington State Department of Health, (253) 512-7100

Lisa Stromme Warren, Washington State Department of Health (360) 628-7883

Update on statewide response to 2019 novel coronavirus


OLYMPIA – As the investigation into 2019 novel coronavirus continues, the Washington State Department of Health is sharing important data points to help the public understand and track the progress and the work being done statewide. The immediate health risk from novel coronavirus to Washington residents is still considered low at this time.

Across the state, we have identified 8 persons under investigation (PUI). A person under investigation (PUI) is an ill person with possible 2019 n-CoV infection who is in the process of being tested.

The current number of close contacts stands at 63. This is the number of people potentially exposed to the virus who are being actively monitored in Washington state. A close contact is a person who has been within about 6 feet of a person with confirmed 2019 n-CoV infection for a prolonged period of time or has had direct contact with secretions from a person with confirmed 2019 n-CoV infection. The definition used in Washington is the same as the CDC definition. We plan to update the number of close contacts daily at 3pm here on the Department of Health website.

We will update our website daily with:
  • The number of confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus cases in Washington.
  • The number of people who are currently being monitored due to having close contact with a person who is confirmed to have 2019 novel coronavirus.
  • The number of ill persons under investigation (PUI) for possible infection.
The patient with confirmed 2019 n-CoV is still in satisfactory condition and in the same unit at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. Providence is coordinating with the CDC, the Department of Health, and the Snohomish Health District to monitor and treat the patient. No discharge date has been set.

The 2019 novel coronavirus is concerning because it’s a new strain and can cause pneumonia. The Washington State Department of Health wants to ensure that the public is aware of the ways we are working to keep the public informed every day. The multi-agency public response to Washington’s first case of 2019 novel coronavirus is ongoing, as these teams partner to learn more about this emerging issue.

There are steps people can take to reduce their risk of getting any viral respiratory infections. These include:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
It is also important for people to stay at home away from others if they are sick and for people to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash their hands

DOH has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

More information on 2019 novel coronavirus is available from:
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Arti...el-coronavirus

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is happening?


On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health announced the first case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States in Washington state.

The patient recently returned from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, where an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December.

2019 novel coronavirus is concerning because it’s a new strain and can cause pneumonia.​

We will update this page daily with:

Confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus cases in Washington: 1
Close contacts being monitored: 63
Persons under investigation (PUI): 8

Last updated: Jan 27, 2020 at 3:00 PM.


https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
 
Back
Top