As of February 18, 2020
As of February 13, 2020
CDC Frequently Asked Questions about Respirators and Their Use
Coronavirus Prevention and Treatment:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
CDC has provided interim guidance for businesses in the non-healthcare setting that may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19. Please go to:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/guidance-business-response.html
As of February 11, 2020
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19.
As of February 10, 2020
Over the weekend, the number of deaths from 2019-nCoV, surpassed those killed by severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, during the 2003 outbreak that originated in southern China. Like SARS, 2019nCoV is another in a family of coronaviruses that typically cause mild to moderate pneumonia, which can be deadly, especially in patients with weak or compromised immune systems.
The mortality rate of 2% for 2019nCoV has proven to be far lower than SARS, which was around 10%. However, the new virus appears to be spreading more rapidly than SARS as a result of its lower mortality rate.
As of February 6, 2020
The CDC-developed laboratory test kit used to detect 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) began shipping on February 6, 2020, to select qualified U.S. and international laboratories. Distribution of the tests will help improve the global capacity to detect and respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus.
The CDC 2019 novel coronavirus test is intended for use with upper and lower respiratory specimens collected from people who meet CDC criteria for 2019-nCoV testing. The test uses a technology that can provide results in four hours from initial sample processing to result.
Initially, about 200 test kits will be distributed to U.S. domestic laboratories and a similar amount will be distributed to select international laboratories. Each test kit can test approximately 700 to 800 patient specimens. Additional test kits will be produced and made available for ordering in the future.
As of February 4, 2020
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) reported that a Maryland resident met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This is the second person in Maryland being tested for the coronavirus.
For 2019-nCoV testing and confirmed case counts in Maryland please visit:
https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Novel-coronavirus.aspx
As of February 3, 2020
On 1.31.20, the Trump administration declared a public health emergency. Despite the declaration, U.S. health officials have emphasized that at this time, the overall risk to Americans is low and that the threat of flu remains much greater.
Beginning 2.2.20, all foreign nationals who have traveled in China within the past 14 days will be denied entry into the U.S. Exceptions will be made for permanent residents and immediate family of U.S. citizens.
Citizens returning from Hubei province will be subjected to up to two weeks of mandatory quarantine.
CDC officials said there are now 20 airports where the CDC has quarantine stations which will enable officials to reach 95 percent of travelers coming from China, officials said. The screenings, which focus on travelers from Wuhan, involve having them fill out a form detailing their travel and contacts while in Wuhan and whether they are experiencing any symptoms. They also have their temperatures taken.
In addition to expanding screening, health officials are distributing 350,000 cards to travelers arriving from China with information about the coronavirus and where to call if they think they may have symptoms of the virus. The cards were already being distributed to passengers who arrived at airports that did not have enhanced screening in place.
The flow of passengers coming from Wuhan and other parts of China has slowed dramatically. Officials in Wuhan closed the city’s international airport. The State Department is warning Americans not to travel to China and urging those already there to leave. More than a dozen airlines are suspending flights to and from China’s mainland. This includes major U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, Delta and United.
As of January 31, 2020
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) reported that the results for the Maryland resident who was tested for the 2019 novel coronavirus by the CDC came back negative. The resident was not found to have the virus.
The World Health Organization announced that the outbreak of a deadly and fast-spreading strain of coronavirus constitutes a global health emergency. However, the main reason for the declaration is not because of what is happening in China but because of what is happening in other countries. There is concern about what will happen if the virus begins spreading in countries with weak health systems and that the purpose of the declaration is to help those countries seek international funding.
As of January 30, 2020
The CDC has announced the first human-to-human transmission of the deadly Wuhan coronavirus has occurred in the U.S.
The respiratory virus was spread from a woman who had recently traveled to China and gave it to her husband when she returned to Chicago according to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.
It’s the sixth confirmed case of the new coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, in the U.S.
Overall, Redfield noted, “the immediate risk to the American public is low.”
Maryland Department of Health Update Memorandum
Maryland Department of Health Update Presentation
As of January 28th, 2020
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today reported that a Maryland resident met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This individual is in good condition and is being monitored while awaiting test results, to be reported by the CDC laboratory.
As of January 26, 2020
Five positive cases have been identified in the United States
There are 110 persons under investigation currently in 26 different states.
There has been no identified person to person transmission in the United States.
Screenings at identified major US airports include:
1) Identifying ill passengers and providing them with treatment as well as isolation
2) Educating all travelers who are not currently ill to seek medical attention if symptoms arise within the next two weeks.
Lab test kits will soon be available in state labs for quicker case testing capability.
Currently, the immediate public health risk is considered low.
