Health officials working to contain spread of coronavirus, identify people at risk
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| Health and government officials speak at a March 8 briefing on coronavirus. From the left: Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Avensu, Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver, and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay. |
Two people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (officially
known as COVID-19) in Virginia, but, “at this point, there are no signs the disease is
spreading in the community,” said Dr. Lilian Peake, state epidemiologist
at the Virginia Department of Health.
Peake and other state and local officials briefed the media on the coronavirus situation March 8 at the Stacy Sherwood Community
Center in Fairfax.
Center in Fairfax.
As of 9 a.m. on March 8, 44 Virginians have been tested for
COVID-19, Peake said. Thirty-eight of the tests have come back negative. The
state is waiting for the results for the other six. So far there have been over 477 cases of coronavirus in the United States and 19 deaths.
Both of the Virginians who have tested positive for the diseased
traveled internationally in the days before they began having symptoms, she said. The two cases are not related.
traveled internationally in the days before they began having symptoms, she said. The two cases are not related.
One of the infected individuals is a
resident of Fairfax City, said Dr. Gloria Addo-Avensu, director of the Fairfax County Health Department. “The individual had limited contact with others,” she
said, so the risk to the community remains low.
resident of Fairfax City, said Dr. Gloria Addo-Avensu, director of the Fairfax County Health Department. “The individual had limited contact with others,” she
said, so the risk to the community remains low.
That person is their 80s and got sick after returning from a
cruise on the Nile River, said Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, director of immunology at
the county’s Health Department. That cruise was similar to but not the
same Nile cruise taken by three people from Maryland who tested positive for COVID-19.
cruise on the Nile River, said Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, director of immunology at
the county’s Health Department. That cruise was similar to but not the
same Nile cruise taken by three people from Maryland who tested positive for COVID-19.
Schwartz said the individual began showing symptoms on Feb.
25; was hospitalized on March 5 with fever, coughing, fatigue, and respiratory
difficulties; and was given a “presumptive positive” test result on March 6.
25; was hospitalized on March 5 with fever, coughing, fatigue, and respiratory
difficulties; and was given a “presumptive positive” test result on March 6.
The individual is currently hospitalized in stable condition
and is not in intensive care, Schwartz said. People in a “a healthcare setting” might have had exposure to that patient.
and is not in intensive care, Schwartz said. People in a “a healthcare setting” might have had exposure to that patient.
The health officials are currently identifying people who have
been in contact with this individual, Schwartz said. “We are working diligently
to take all measures to protect the health and safety of the public.”
been in contact with this individual, Schwartz said. “We are working diligently
to take all measures to protect the health and safety of the public.”
The other person who tested positive in Virginia was a
Marine at Fort Belvoir who had recently returned from an official business trip
overseas.
Marine at Fort Belvoir who had recently returned from an official business trip
overseas.
Related story: FCPS responds to coronavirus concerns
Dr. Alison Ansher, public health director of the Prince
William Health District, said her department is “working around the clock” to identify
persons who might have been in contact with that individual and is and coordinating
with the Marine Base at Quantico, as well as state and local health departments.
Officials are not announcing the names of the patients or
the hospitals where they are being treated to protect their privacy.
the hospitals where they are being treated to protect their privacy.
COVID-19 testing for the Marine was conducted at the Walter
Reed National Medical Center. The other patient was tested by the state’s Division
of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention will confirm both test results.
Reed National Medical Center. The other patient was tested by the state’s Division
of Consolidated Laboratory Services. The federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention will confirm both test results.
Since the first two Virginia cases were identified March 7, “a
coordinated public health response is already underway,” said Virginia Health
Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver. The risk to public health is low, he said. “Protecting
the health and well-being of Virginians is our top priority.”
coordinated public health response is already underway,” said Virginia Health
Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver. The risk to public health is low, he said. “Protecting
the health and well-being of Virginians is our top priority.”
The Virginia Department of Health is closely coordinating
with the testing labs to identify cases early and prevent the spread of the
disease, Peake said.
with the testing labs to identify cases early and prevent the spread of the
disease, Peake said.
In addition to a webpage with information on COVID-19, the Virginia
Health Department has set up a call center that can be accessed at 877-ASK-VDH3.
Health Department has set up a call center that can be accessed at 877-ASK-VDH3.
Peake encourages anyone with flu-like symptoms – fever,
cough, difficulty breathing – and who had traveled to an affected country or
had been in close contact with someone with the disease to get tested.
cough, difficulty breathing – and who had traveled to an affected country or
had been in close contact with someone with the disease to get tested.
“No additional precautions are recommended beyond simple
daily measures everyone should take to protect themselves from the flu,” Schwartz
said. That includes washing one’s hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20
seconds, covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying away from
sick people, and staying home if sick.
daily measures everyone should take to protect themselves from the flu,” Schwartz
said. That includes washing one’s hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20
seconds, covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying away from
sick people, and staying home if sick.
“While this is a very important, evolving situation,” Fairfax
County has had a plan in place for dealing with an epidemic for over a decade,”
said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay.
County has had a plan in place for dealing with an epidemic for over a decade,”
said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay.
“No one should panic,” McKay said, noting “there is a lot of false information out there.” He
urged the public to rely on Fairfax County as a “trusted source of information.”
urged the public to rely on Fairfax County as a “trusted source of information.”