Novel #coronavirus (#COVID19) is a new virus strain that emerged in December 2019.
The first case in Washington State was ID'ed Jan. 21 and the first case in King County was ID'ed Feb. 28.
To date, there are 14 total cases in King County, and we expect additional cases.
The first case in Washington State was ID'ed Jan. 21 and the first case in King County was ID'ed Feb. 28.
To date, there are 14 total cases in King County, and we expect additional cases.
While the vast majority of #COVID19 cases are mild, some populations are vulnerable to serious infections, which can lead to death.
Of the 14 identified cases to date, 5 of those have died.
Our deepest sympathies go out to their families and community.
Of the 14 identified cases to date, 5 of those have died.
Our deepest sympathies go out to their families and community.
More vulnerable populations include people over 60, particularly with underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.
Come up with a plan with your doctor to identify your health risks for #coronavirus and how to manage symptoms.
Come up with a plan with your doctor to identify your health risks for #coronavirus and how to manage symptoms.
Contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as fever, cough and respiratory problems.
#COVID19 symptoms include fever, cough and respiratory problems.
Most people with mild novel #coronavirus illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications.
Most people with mild novel #coronavirus illness will recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications.
However, some cases develop pneumonia and require care or hospitalization.
If you have symptoms like cough, fever or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
Do not go to the emergency room. ERs need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
If you have symptoms like cough, fever or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
Do not go to the emergency room. ERs need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
You may be able to reduce the risk of spread of #coronavirus by taking the same steps as you would to prevent infection from the flu and the common cold:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
We cannot predict when a pandemic outbreak might reach us nor how severe a novel #coronavirus pandemic might be locally.
But if it happens, and that seems increasing likely, it could cause large numbers of people to become ill in a short time.
But if it happens, and that seems increasing likely, it could cause large numbers of people to become ill in a short time.
• To prevent novel #coronavirus from spreading, large gatherings and public events may be postponed or cancelled.
• School dismissals may happen if a serious pandemic occurs.
• School dismissals may happen if a serious pandemic occurs.
For more information about outbreak preparedness, check out our Public Health Insider blog: bit.ly/covidplan
If this outbreak causes widespread infections with many serious illnesses, based on what we learn about how the virus is transmitted, certain community mitigation strategies might be recommended.
These measures could include personal, community and environmental measures:
• Personal steps include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, washing hands often or using hand sanitizer.
• Community measures include creating physical distance between people in settings where they come in close contact with one another; possibly temporarily closing schools; and modifying, postponing or canceling large public events.
• Environmental measures include routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.
We do not currently recommend that people wear masks when they are in public.
Scientists are unsure whether wearing a mask in public actually keeps healthy people from getting sick.
Scientists are unsure whether wearing a mask in public actually keeps healthy people from getting sick.
It is most important for people who are sick to wear a mask in community settings such as a waiting medical room to avoid exposing other people when they cough or sneeze.
Another example when a mask might be appropriate is when ill people are in close contact with others and share common spaces with other household members, or when symptomatic postpartum women care for and nurse their infants.
People wear masks for a variety of acceptable reasons. We should not assume that someone wearing a mask is sick.
We have heard of shortages of personal protective equipment in the U.S.
Nationally, we are at an 80% allocation rate. This means that if you normally order 100 masks you would get 80.
Nationally, we are at an 80% allocation rate. This means that if you normally order 100 masks you would get 80.
@WADeptHealth is monitoring this situation and we're communicating with our healthcare partners.
Additionally, we're in contact with our partners at the @CDCgov as they are addressing the national shortage by working with supply chain vendors to coordinate resources.
Additionally, we're in contact with our partners at the @CDCgov as they are addressing the national shortage by working with supply chain vendors to coordinate resources.
@WADeptHealth @CDCgov Novel #coronavirus is not at all connected with race, ethnicity or nationality.
Stigma doesn't fight the illness and will hurt innocent people.
Sharing accurate info during a time of heightened concern is one of the best things we can do to keep rumor and misinformation from spreading. Find anti-stigma resources on our blog: bit.ly/COVIDantistigma
Sharing accurate info during a time of heightened concern is one of the best things we can do to keep rumor and misinformation from spreading. Find anti-stigma resources on our blog: bit.ly/COVIDantistigma
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Get the latest information from us via social media and at:
#COVID19 website: kingcounty.gov/ncov
Public Health Insider blog: publichealthinsider.com
#COVID19 website: kingcounty.gov/ncov
Public Health Insider blog: publichealthinsider.com
