The Novel Coronavirus (2019 CoV)
Background Information:
There is an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
This virus is spreading from person-to-person in China and some limited person-to-person spread has been reported in countries outside China, including in the United States.
The incubation period is thought to be 2-14 days.
2019-nCoV is NOT spreading in the community in the US at this time.
This is a rapidly changing situation and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are monitoring the situation closely.
While this situation poses a very serious public health threat, CDC believes the risk to the US public continues to be low at this time. The situation is evolving, and risk will depend on how well the virus spreads, and how sick it makes people.
The coming days are likely to bring more confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States and globally, including more person-to-person spread in the United States.
CDC recommends that all travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China.
Travelers from China are required to be monitored for up to 14 days after leaving China. Some people may have their movement restricted or be asked to limit contact with others with-in this 14-day period.
2019-nCoV has not been detected in Connecticut.
What Are The Symptoms of Infection?
Corona viruses are respiratory viruses and are generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, pneumonia (fluid in the lungs).
What do you do if you are sick?
• Stay home except to get medical care
• Monitor your symptoms. Get medical care quickly if your illness is getting worse.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor. Calling the medical provider ahead of time will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home
• Wear a face mask
• With tissue cover your coughs and sneezes then immediately wash your hands
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, drinking glasses, utensils, towels
Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against 2019-nCoV
What Can You Do?
While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging threat:
• If you have symptoms report them your doctor.
• It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and the CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine.
• Wash 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.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay 6 feet from those with flu-like symptoms which include coughing and sneezing. Note that viruses can persist on surfaces for several hours.
How is the Redding Health Department Responding?
The Redding Health Department is collaborating with our community partners such as the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Nuvance Health (Danbury Hospital), and our neighboring towns as part of our continuing collaboration to protect the health of our community. We aim to provide the most current information and direction as it becomes available.
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Other Important Information:
Seasonal flu activity is widespread throughout Connecticut. As of January 30, 2020, Connecticut has 3,759 confirmed cases, 1,036 patients have been hospitalized, and 120 deaths with influenza have occurred thus far during the current season.
As of January 30, 2020, 14.36% of people visiting the emergency room had flu-like symptoms.
If you have not already, consider getting your flu shot to help protect you this season.
These notices will be updated as more information becomes available.
For up to date information visit cdc.gov/coronavirus
Contact Information:
Redding Health Department Telephone Inquiries: 203-938-2559 or health@townofreddingct.org
Website: Townofreddingct.org
Information compiled from CDC www.cdc.gov and CT Department of Public Health portal.ct.gov/dph