The Virginia Department of Health is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (termed “2019-nCoV”) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which continues to expand. Chinese health officials have reported hundreds of infections with 2019-nCoV in China, including outside of Hubei Province. Infections with 2019-nCoV also are being reported in a growing number of countries internationally, including the United States, where the first 2019-nCoV infection was detected in a traveler returning from Wuhan on January 21, 2020.
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.
The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus Webpage.
Some good advice on how to stop the spread of germs with the help of some kindergarten students via the Fairfax County Department of Health.
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Johns Hopkins University has put together an excellent Coronavirus map/dashboard tracking cases around the globe. Click on the picture below to get to view the map/dashboard.
