Coronavirus Outbreak In The U.S. Now Likely, The CDC Warns

LOS ANGELES, CA — On its way to possibly becoming a pandemic, the new coronavirus is likely to spread in the United States, and residents should prepare for disruption of daily life, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday.

In a stark media briefing, CDC experts warned that it’s now just a matter of time before the coronavirus dubbed COVID-19 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,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “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, roughly 80,000 people have contracted the virus in more than three dozen countries. The COVID-19 death toll exceeded 2,600 people this week. There have been no reported fatalities in the United States, where the 53 confirmed cases involved people who had recently traveled outside the country.

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

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The warning comes as the rattled stock market continues to experience declines from the fear of a global pandemic. Following the CDC's announcement, stocks further tumbled about 3 percent Tuesday afternoon.

The warning also comes as Southland communities balance tension between preventative measures and hysteria.

Health screenings continue at Los Angeles International Airport, one of less than 20 American airports designated to accommodate travel from Chinese regions hit hard by the virus. Both Los Angeles and Orange County have confirmed one infection among recent travelers abroad. In Orange County, a legal battle is underway to stop U.S. health authorities from moving multiple coronavirus patients to the former Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa.

U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton had granted an emergency temporary restraining order Friday, when city officials filed court papers saying they were not notified in advance of the plans and wanted assurances that an adequate study had been done to determine if the site is safe to house the patients.

At the time, city officials said they were told up to 50 patients could be taken to the facility, which is owned by the state and is being shut down as a caretaker for clients with developmental disabilities.

In Los Angeles County, residents in San Gabriel Valley communities with a high population of Chinese immigrants have circulated 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 -- as they have repeatedly in recent weeks -- that at this time, "there is no need to cancel school or social events."

"There are no restrictions on public gatherings. Parents, guardians, staff and students should be reminded that part of good hygiene is staying home from events when they are ill," according to the local health agency.

The department also urged anyone who develops signs of illness to avoid going to work.

"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."

To prevent the spread of viruses, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department recommends:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often 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 you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
• Face masks are most effective 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.

Read also: Coronavirus Patient Shuffle In Costa Mesa After Restraining Order

City News Service contributed to this report.