Maryland hospitals take precautions for coronavirus but no reason for alarm, docs say
Hospitals around Maryland have started travel screening for coronavirus when taking in new patients entering the emergency room, but doctors said there is no reason for alarm.
|| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information on coronavirus ||
A second case of coronavirus was confirmed Friday in the United States. Health officials in Chicago said a woman in her 60s traveling from China is the second person in the U.S. to become sick with coronavirus.
"This is a single travel-associated case, not a local emergency. We, obviously, take emerging viruses very seriously, and there are still many unanswered questions about this novel virus," Chicago Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said.
There are at least 60 possible cases in the U.S. that are under investigation.
For the first time, the deadly virus is making an appearance in Europe. Health officials in France reported three people tested positive for the virus.
The outbreak has officials in China on heightened alert. Tourist destinations like Shanghai Disney are shut down, and 10 cities near the city of Wuhan shut down their transportation. Wuhan is considered the center of the outbreak.
Symptoms of infection with this novel coronavirus include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
People who have traveled to China in the last 14 days and have a fever and cough or shortness of breath, should:
- Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Avoid further travel until the illness resolves.
- Wear a mask if you need to leave the house when sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Dr. Elizabeth Wang, an infectious disease doctor at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Towson, said there is still no reason for alarm.
"I would not panic about it," Wang said.
Wang told 11 News that this year's flu season is far more concerning.
"If you check the CDC's website, it estimates that there has been 8,000 cases of flu death thus far in the season, so I would say I think, really, right now, the bigger threat is influenza rather than the new coronavirus," Wang said.
Hospitals and medical centers across Maryland have started several precautions, including travel screening for new patients.
"If they've traveled to Wuhan, China, if they’ve come in to close contact with anyone who traveled to China recently, and we actually have designated algorithms should we identify these folks, we have negative pressure rooms to quarantine them in," Wang said.
Ultimately, Wang said it's best to protect yourself whenever possible, just like when dealing with the common cold and flu.
"Things like wearing a mask in public places if you’re a immune-compromised, stay away from people who are obviously sick or coughing, and one last thing is good hand hygiene," Wang said.
Wang also told 11 News that doctors are not yet that concerned about a pandemic because those who have died after contracting coronavirus had compromised immune systems.
There are currently no vaccines able to protect humans against this coronavirus, so health officials said the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Everyday preventative actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses include:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
