Alexandria’s Health Department is taking steps to respond to the novel coronavirus affecting thousands, including some in the United States.
Virginia has no confirmed cases to date of the virus 2019-nCoV that was first detected in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019.
Multiple airports in the United States, including Dulles International Airport, are screening flyers from China for the virus. The screenings include a questionnaire, temperature check and looking for signs of coughing or difficulty breathing.
Symptoms can be similar to a bad cold or the flu, including a fever, cough and generally feeling unwell. The virus has killed more than 100 people and infected more than 1,000 people worldwide. It is not clear yet how long a person may be contagious before showing symptoms. There is no vaccine for this new virus.
Here in Alexandria and in Fairfax County, the local health departments are following guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health and from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify people who may be infected with 2019-nCoV. Both Alexandria and Fairfax County officials have provided information and resources to screen and test possible patients while protecting medical staff and the public.
Advice on how to protect yourself from this virus are similar to the preventative measures recommended to avoid the flu and other illnesses.
The following is from the Alexandria Department of Health:
How Can I Protect Myself, My Family and My Business?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. However, everyday preventive actions help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like 2019-nCoV as well as influenza and the common cold, including:
- 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
- Stay home when you are sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. Alternatively, cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you were recently in China...
The following from the CDC is information about what to do if you were in China in the past few weeks and feel ill:
If you were in China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you 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.
- Not travel while sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
