- The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCOV) was first identified in Hubei Province, China. Hundreds of cases have been confirmed in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally.
- Two cases of 2019-nCOV have been reported in the United States. Both patients had recently returned from Wuhan, China. Per CDC, more cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including more cases in the United States.
- Current symptoms reported for patients with 2019-nCOV have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
- Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Given what has occurred previously with MERS and SARS, it’s likely that some person-to-person spread will continue to occur.
- This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, and the most current information including interim guidance for healthcare professionals is available on the CDC 2019-nCOV homepage.
- CDC also issued an updated interim Health Alert Notice (HAN) Advisory to inform state and local health departments and health care providers about this outbreak on January 17, 2020.
- CDC currently recommends a cautious approach to patients under investigation for 2019-nCOV.
- Such patients should be asked to wear a surgical mask as soon as they are identified and be evaluated in a private room with the door closed, ideally an airborne infection isolation room if available.
- Healthcare personnel entering the room should use standard precautions, contact precautions, airborne precautions, and use eye protection (e.g. goggles or a face shield).
- Immediately notify your healthcare facility’s infection control personnel and local health department.
- CDC also is conducting entry screening of passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan, China to five major airports: Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles, (LAX) New York city (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO).
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