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Health Risk Low for Coronavirus in the U.S.

Category: News Releases
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A map of China with Wuhan highlighted.As you may be aware, there is currently a global outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). However, based on current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is currently considered low.

Coronaviruses are a large family of common viruses, and there are many types of coronaviruses. Symptoms of this 2019-nCoV infection include fever, cough, myalgias, and fatigue. These are especially nonspecific symptoms at this time of year, and exposure history is critical. If you have a fever, lower respiratory symptoms and have traveled from Wuhan City, China in the past 14 days, or had contact with a confirmed patient, you should wear a mask and call ahead to let St. Luke’s registration staff know before coming in.

There’s still much to be learned about the current epidemic that originated in Wuhan City, China. Chinese health officials have reported thousands of 2019-nCoV cases in China, some of which have led to severe illness and death. Sustained person-to-person spread of this virus is reportedly occurring in China.

However, the CDC reports that in the United States there have only been 5 cases of coronavirus detected in travelers returning from Wuhan. No person-to-person spread has been detected in the United States.

The CDC remains committed to closely monitoring the situation with the virus. For the latest information on the outbreak, visit CDC’s Novel Coronavirus 2019 website.

*Note: Click on map to enlarge