Novel (new ) Coronavirus Update

Update to the evolving situation for the Coronavirus. It has now been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO and has recently converted to human to human transmission including one in the United States.

People under investigation in the United States according to the CDC:

According to the WHO website as of 01/30/2020:

"There are now 7711 confirmed and 12167 suspected cases throughout the country of China. Of the confirmed cases, 1370 are severe and 170 people have died. 124 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

The WHO Secretariat provided an overview of the situation in other countries. There are now 83 cases in 18 countries. Of these, only 7 had no history of travel in China. There has been human-to-human transmission in 3 countries outside China. One of these cases is severe and there have been no deaths."

Here are some of URLs for your convenience.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus-2020.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)

In UMC, UMCP, and TTUHSC’s continued efforts to protect our patients and staff, the infectious disease powerform has been updated to include patient reported exposure to Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) as well as the alert update to notify the next clinician/staff entering the patient chart.

At this time, no workflow changes have been implemented at this time. Please continue to follow best practices and department policy for addressing any infectious disease process. Thank you for your continued vigilance in this matter and keeping everyone safe.

Coronavirus Update

Just a quick update and developing events related to the Wuhan Coronavirus. It has spread to multiple locations in China with multiple closures/quarantines  and now there are 12 suspected cases in the United States including one suspected in College Station. A second case has been confirmed in Chicago.

Hence, we are updating the powerform (today) to inform end users at intake of a potential infectious disease with the following instructions and this will go out in a separate email.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/clinical-criteria.html

If travel to China in the last 14 days and fever with respiratory symptoms (cough and/or shortness of breath), please place surgical mask on patient in a private room w/door shut (neg pressure if available) and notify appropriate infection prevention department immediately. When close contact with patient use Standard, Contact, Airborne Precautions, and utilize eye protection.