UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS

Information provided below is from the Wayne County Health Department released January 29, 2020

This new strain of coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December. It is being addressed aggressively because little is known about it and it potentially could cause mild to severe respiratory illness. 

Key Updates: 

The risk of contracting 2019 - nCoV is still low. Being symptomatic alone is not a cause for panic. Neither is having traveled to Wuhan or being around someone who recently returned from China. People who present as possible cases must have symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing AND been exposed to the new virus, such as through travel to Wuhan, Hubei province, or been in contact with a possible or confirmed 2019-nCoV case. 

There are currently no confirmed cases in Ohio. We are waiting on test results regarding the Patients Under Investigation (PUI) affiliated with Butler County. 

As of this morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 5 cases in the US (California (2), Washington, Illinois, and Arizona), 36 states have PUIs and 18 countries are now reporting travel associated cases of Coronavirus.

The Ohio Department of Health's virtual Joint Information Center has been very active handling 20+ interview requests. The state highlighted the need for consistent messaging across and will be providing health departments with key talking points. ODH is updating their website regularly to keep information current. 

The Interim Infection Control Guidance for Prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) document was released. The Wayne County Health Department emailed it out to local fire/EMS, Wooster Community Hospital, Aultman Orrville Hospital, and the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency. 

For further information, timeline of events, and activities released by the Wayne County Health Department please view the document provided below. 

https://www.orrvillechamber.com/sites/default/files/2020-01/WCHD%202019n-CoV%20Situational%20update_01-29-2020%20%28002%29.pdf