2nd Coronavirus Test In Maryland Is Negative: Officials

MARYLAND — A second person was recently tested for the new coronavirus in Maryland, state health officials reported. So far, no cases have been confirmed in Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Health would not release any details about the case, including the condition of the person being tested.

Days after the test was submitted, authorities reported it was negative for the novel coronavirus.

The new coronavirus was first detected in December in Wuhan, China. It has since been found in nearly 30 countries, including the United States.

Symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death. People are usually symptomatic within two to 14 days of being exposed to the virus, for which there is no treatment.

One possible case of the virus was first investigated in Maryland in late January. That person tested negative for the illness. Tests across the country are sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, 12 novel coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the United States — in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are 37,558 confirmed cases worldwide, of which 37,251 are in China, according to the World Health Organization, which has declared a public health emergency.

As of Sunday, Feb. 9, there have been 812 deaths in China and one outside China attributed to the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organization reported.

Related:

• Maryland Coronavirus Test Is Negative: State Health Official
• Coronavirus Alert: What MD Health-Care Workers Need To Know
• Airline Flags Passenger At BWI For Possible Coronavirus Exposure
• Maryland Governor Says State Is Preparing For Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges those in the United States to avoid nonessential travel to China due to the spread of the virus. Foreign nationals who have traveled to China over the past 14 days have been temporarily barred from entering the United States.

U.S. citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members who have visited mainland China are being allowed to enter the country, but they are subject to health monitoring and possible quarantine for up to 14 days, especially those who have visited the Hubei province.

Here are measures Maryland is taking to minimize risk:

At BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, the governor said officials were working on protocols for incoming flights and posting signage notifying travelers about coronavirus.

"There are no nonstop flights between BWI Marshall Airport and China," airport spokesman Jonathan Dean told Patch, referring Patch to the state health department for further information.

State officials directed Patch to BWI regarding measures the airport was taking to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

"The CDC is performing enhanced public health screening at certain airports that have airline service to China," Dean said. "BWI Marshall is not among those airports."

Health officials are also coordinating with Johns Hopkins University and the University System of Maryland about students who have traveled. Both Towson University and the University of Maryland have canceled trips to or programs in China until further notice, WJZ reported. A Towson University professor reportedly came into contact with someone who was being tested for coronavirus but state health officials deemed the professor and the person being tested to be low-risk for the illness, according to WJZ.

The Maryland Department of Health is updating its coronavirus page each morning with the latest data.

A Gaithersburg biotechnology company is reportedly working on developing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. Novavax anticipates having a vaccine within three months, according to WTTG, the Fox affiliate in D.C.

While there is no treatment or vaccine for coronavirus at the moment, state health officials advise taking these precautions to stay safe from respiratory viruses in general:

• Wash hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
• Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or tissue, not hands; cover mouth and nose.
• Avoid having close contact with those who are sick.
• Stay home from work or school if sick.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands that have not been washed.

Anne Arundel County Health Officer Nilesh Kalyanaraman, M.D., issued a statement alerting Maryland residents that influenza is more of a risk to residents than coronavirus. It was a sentiment that other health experts have echoed.

"Flu remains a much bigger concern for Americans right now," Dr. Leana Wen, the former Baltimore health commissioner, said in a statement Tuesday, stating there were 19 million cases of influenza this season compared with 11 cases of the new coronavirus in the United States.

Wen advised washing hands with soap and water, staying home if sick, avoiding those who are sick, cleaning communal surfaces and getting the flu shot.

There have been more than 21,100 flu cases confirmed in Maryland so far this flu season and 20 flu deaths, based on the latest data from the Maryland Department of Health.