No Coronavirus Cases In Connecticut; Travelers Cautioned

HARTFORD, CT — Almost daily, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont tweets and takes to Facebook and issues statements about the latest news on coronavirus.

Wednesday was no different.

Lamont urged people to follow the travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control in light of the continued spread of COVID-19.

“Anyone who is planning travel, particularly internationally, is strongly urged to follow the CDC’s ongoing guidance and take it seriously,” Lamont said.

There have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Connecticut. Wednesday night, the state Department of Public Health announced that four more Connecticut residents were tested today for coronavirus at the DPH State Lab in Rocky Hill, and all four came back negative. To date, eight tests have been conducted at the facility, and all came back negative.

States adjacent to Connecticut, including New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, all have reported cases. A total of 11 people in the United States have been killed by the disease. There have been 80 confirmed positive tests in the U.S., according to the CDC.

The CDC advised anyone who has recently returned from China, Iran, Italy or South Korea to self-monitor in their homes for 14 days upon returning to the U.S. Anyone who returned from Japan should limit their interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the U.S., the CDC said.

The CDC also recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to countries designated as Level 2 and Level 3.

Level 3 countries are experiencing widespread community transmission of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 so the CDC says travelers should avoid all nonessential travel to those countries.

Guidance for travelers is posted on the CDC’s website and continues to be updated as needed.

On Jan. 30, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency."

On Jan. 31, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency in the United States.

Older Adults, People With Chronic Medical Issues May Be At Increased Risk For Severe Disease

Illness from this virus has ranged from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.

Everyone – regardless of whether they have recently traveled – should continue following some basic steps to protect themselves from coronavirus:

· Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based sanitizer.

· Avoid shaking hands as a greeting.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Stay home when you are sick.

· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

People who have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan and are feeling sick should:

· Call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office or emergency room;

· Tell the doctor about recent travel and the symptoms being experienced;

· Avoid contact with others; and

· Do not travel while sick.

Symptoms of coronavirus can include:

· Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
· Cough
· Shortness of breath

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 from how it spreads to how to prepare your family and home, visit the CDC's dedicated coronoavirus site here.