Fresno County continues monitoring for coronavirus and feds warn of spreading illness
Here’s the latest update on this story published Wednesday, Feb. 26.
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A day after local authorities confirmed dozens of Fresno County residents have been monitored for coronavirus symptoms, federal health officials warned Americans to prepare for a prolonged battle with the novel virus.
An official with the Centers for Disease Control described the spread of the novel virus across the United States as inevitable.
“It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen,” said Anne Schuchat, the CDC’s principal deputy director.
The CDC’s warning comes a day after an exclusive report from The Bee revealed at least 55 Fresno County residents were told to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms for two weeks. Health workers also performed check-ins with the residents. Those residents underwent the self-monitoring program because they had either traveled to China or been in contact with someone who traveled there, health officials said.
There were no confirmed cases of the virus in Fresno County as of Tuesday, health officials told The Bee.
A spokeswoman for the health department said the monitoring operation was not an official quarantine.
The local monitoring operation has been in place since about Feb. 3, according to Joe Prado, division manager of community health for the Fresno County Department of Health.
California has at least 10 confirmed cases of the virus. Across the nation, at least 53 cases have been confirmed, but no deaths have been linked to the virus, according to the CDC.
The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has sickened an estimated 79,000 people globally. Stock markets, as a result, have suffered over fears of a global slowdown. The Trump administration requested emergency funding from Congress to increase the response to the spreading virus at home, the Associated Press reported.
Responding to the threat
Schuchat said health agencies have coordinated their responses to the virus with federal authorities providing funding and other resources to local departments.
While officials can’t predict the severity of the spreading virus, Prado said communication will be crucial to keep residents safe.
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.
Dr. Mohammad Nael Mhaissen, the medical director of the infectious disease division at Valley Children’s Hospital, said the network’s hospitals are screening visitors and patients. They have plans in place to isolate anyone who shows symptoms of 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,” Mhaissen said Monday. If someone is found sick, “we are prepared to take care of them.”
Officials symptoms of the new respiratory virus include cough and fever, similar to other strains of the coronavirus and the common flu.
Mhaissen said, for now at least, there is little cause for concern unless you recently have traveled near the epicenter in China or been in contact with someone who has
But the flu season is causing greater concern and confusion among residents. Mhaissen recommends residents wash their hands and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. If you are sick, avoid crowded areas. The same measures are recommended for the prevention of the common flu and symptoms related to it.
This year in California 321 people have died of flu-related illnesses, according to the state health department.
“We should not forget about the dangerous viruses that are already circling our community,” Mhaissen said.
Fresno school officials also have taken steps to guard against the threat and are working with the county health department, according to district spokesperson Vanessa Ramirez.
She said schools have taught staff how to identify symptoms and how to take preventative measures. Schools have stocked up on masks for students “waiting to be picked up in the health office: who show flu-like symptoms. Letters have seen sent to student families in English, Hmong and Spanish.
Travel limits
The CDC has also taken steps to update travel restrictions daily as new cases arise. It has issued a travel warning for all nonessential travel to China and has since added countries like Japan, South Korea and Iran to the lists. Travel from China is being routed to 11 airports nationally that are equipped with quarantine stations, according to the CDC.
According to Vikkie Calderon, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport does not have direct flights to China, but officials there are following directions from the state health department and would coordinate with local officials for any process involving travel screenings.
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 3:30 PM.
