On Tuesday afternoon, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced a case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in N.C. Although the infected person is doing well and is quarantined, the death toll in the U.S. from the virus continues to climb, and leaders across the country are bracing for the possibility of a widespread outbreak. Health experts suspect the virus has been spreading for weeks – and many people who have the virus may not even show symptoms. It’s all happening fast, so today, we’re breaking down exactly what you need to know.
First, don’t panic. With a fatality rate of less than 2%, only nine people have died from coronavirus-related illness in the US. At-risk populations include those with compromised immune systems and the elderly. There is no evidence currently that children are more susceptible to it.
Local hospital systems have been preparing for weeks for a potential outbreak. According to officials at Duke + WakeMed, the most effective way of containing the virus is home or hospital quarantine, depending on the severity of a patient’s illness. If you have severe cold or flu symptoms, including a dry cough + fever, be sure to call your doctor right away – especially if you have a compromised immune system. Fortunately, our hospitals are among the most prepared in the country to respond to new cases of the disease.
Last week, local schools shared that they are preparing for any potential cases of COVID-19. Recommendations from county officials include health-aware hygiene among students and their families — including regular hand-washing and staying home from work or school if you have any symptoms of illness.
Governor Roy Cooper has established a task force to lead NC’s response to the virus, and a Morrisville-based drug-company Heat Biologics is joining efforts to create a vaccine for this particular strain of the coronavirus.
Here’s more info on the coronavirus.
By the numbers (as of 7 p.m. yesterday):
○ 92,315. The number of coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide.
○ 108. The total number of coronavirus cases confirmed so far in the U.S. This week, two cases were confirmed in Georgia.
○ 3,131. The total number of deaths confirmed worldwide. This map shows the location of all of the global cases.
A health expert told ABC News this week that we could still be one year away from a vaccine. The good news: State labs should be equipped with lab tests to detect the virus by the end of the week. If you or someone you know has displayed any symptoms of the coronavirus — severe cough, fever, tiredness, or body aches — be sure to contact your doctor right away.
To best protect yourself from the virus, the CDC recommends following normal seasonal flu guidelines. Those steps include: washing your hands, covering your coughs, staying home when sick + immediately throwing away used tissues and similar items.
