California Braces for a Coronavirus Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement early Tuesday claiming new coronavirus is likely to spread in the United States and particular cases in California.

CDC experts announced its warning that it is just a matter of time before the coronavirus named COVID-19 contaminates and spreads in the United States. "It's not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness," explained Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory, she added, "I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming and that disruption to everyday life may be severe, but these are things that people need to start thinking about now."

Worldwide, approximately 80,000 people have caught the virus in more than three dozen countries. The COVID-19 death toll surpassed 2,600 people this week. As of now, there have been no reported fatalities in the United States, where the 53 confirmed cases involved people who had traveled outside the country recently.

Messonnier added that next-level preventative steps that Americans may expect could include school closures or modifications, a shift to health care service for people with flu-like symptoms, delays in elective surgeries, an focus on working from home, the need for childcare if schools close, and missed work or loss of income.

The warning also comes as the shock stock market continues to experience declines from the fear of a global pandemic. In addition to the CDC's announcement, stocks further dropped about 3 percent Tuesday afternoon.

Thousands of Health screenings are being issued at Los Angeles International Airport, one of less than 20 American airports assigned to accommodate travel from Chinese regions hit hard by the virus.

Los Angeles and Orange County have both confirmed one infection among recent travelers abroad. In Orange County, legal action is moving to suspend U.S. health authorities from moving multiple coronavirus patients to the former Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa.

City officials announced that 50 patients could be taken to the facility, which is owned by the state.

All over Los Angeles County, residents in San Gabriel Valley communities with a high population of Chinese immigrants have distributed petitions calling for school closures, and a major Lunar New Year celebration was canceled due to concerns about the virus.

On its Twitter page, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health again issued a reminder stating, "Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication," according to the public health agency. "Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick."

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department recommends these steps to staying healthy through this outbreak

• Remain home when sick.
• Wash often hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; do so, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Limit close contact, such as kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If there is not a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
• Face masks work the best when used appropriately by health care workers and people who are sick.
• Get a flu immunization to prevent influenza if you have not done so this season.