Dozens of Fresno-area residents monitored for coronavirus as precaution, officials say
Here’s the latest update on this story published Wednesday, Feb. 26.
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As fear spread around the world early this week over the new strain of the coronavirus, local officials said at least 55 people in Fresno County have been quarantined at home and monitored for symptoms.
No Fresno County residents have tested positive for the virus and none have even shown symptoms, health officials told The Bee.
The residents were monitored as a precaution because they either traveled to China or were in contact with someone who traveled there, according to Joe Prado, division manager of community health for the Fresno County Department of Health.
The local monitoring operation, the same used in previous years in response to the Ebola virus, has been in place since about Feb. 3, Prado said.
The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has spread to about 34 countries, sickening an estimated 79,000 people. Stock markets, as a result, have suffered over fears of a global slowdown, and the Trump administration is considering asking Congress for emergency funding to increase the response to the spreading virus at home, the Associated Press reported.
In California at least 10 people so far have tested positive for the virus and 185 total have been tested. No deaths in the U.S. have been linked to the coronavirus.
Communication is crucial
Health officials say the situation is being monitored case-by-case in each county. Emergency meetings are taking place as health departments ramp up response and awareness efforts.
As part of the monitoring process in Fresno County, health workers contact the residents and set up a two-week quarantine at home. They check for body temperatures and for symptoms.
Currently, there is no cure for the virus, which increases the need for a response.
“We don’t put these on the back burner. They’re actually top priority,” Prado said.
Officials expect the virus will grow in the United States, but it’s not clear how severe it will be. Prado said communication locally will be crucial. A community meeting held this month on infectious diseases specifically addressed the new coronavirus, according to Prado. It gathered first-responders, school officials and environmental experts.
Already, Prado said, health officials statewide communicate daily on new developments and whether there are residents who arrive from China and require monitoring. Hospital staff also communicate when patients are referred across facilities.
Dr. Mohammad Nael Mhaissen, the medical director of the infectious disease division at Valley Children’s Hospital, said hospitals are screening visitors and patients. They have plans in place to isolate anyone who shows symptoms for the virus. The state requires hospitals to have masks, gowns and isolation rooms that prevent the spread of a virus.
“Luckily so far we have not seen any cases,” he said Monday. If someone is found sick, “We are prepared to take care of them.”
How to protect yourself
Mhaissen said the new virus is much like the other strains which can include cough and cold symptoms. But he said those who should be most concerned are those who have traveled to China recently or have been around someone who has a confirmed case of the virus.
Doctors are recommending that residents wash their hands and cover their coughs and sneezing. Additionally, avoid crowded areas. Those same measures can prevent the common flu and symptoms related to it, which this season so far has killed 321 people in California.
“We should not forget about the dangerous viruses that are already circling our community,” Dr. Mhaissen said.
Travel limits
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning on all nonessential travel to China. It has since added alerts on travel to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Iran and Italy. Travel from China is being routed to 11 airports nationally that are equipped with quarantine stations, according to the CDC.
Fresno Yosemite International Airport does not have direct flights to China, but officials there are still in contact with the health department in case medical needs arise.
Vikkie Calderon, spokeswoman for the airport, said the airport is following directions from the state health department and would coordinate with local officials for any process involving travel screenings.
Officials locally are also looking out for major events that attract people from around the world, like the World Ag Expo that just wrapped up in Tulare County.
Tammie Weyker-Adkins, spokeswoman for the county health department, said agency collaborated with the expo organizers to spread information on illnesses. She said the department plans to increase awareness as the new coronavirus becomes more prevalent.
The county has not reported any confirmed or suspected cases of the new coronavirus.
“At this point, it’s just kind of a wait-and-see,” Weyker-Adkins said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 6:23 PM.
