NC Coronavirus: ‘Be Vigilant,’ Prevention Effort Urged In Schools

CHARLOTTE, NC — As concerns about the spread of a new coronavirus, called COVID-19, continue to increase throughout the United States, North Carolina’s top education official says state educators and public health officials are monitoring the situation, and urged families to remain vigilant with prevention efforts.

“Concerns regarding coronavirus have rightfully risen, and we want you to know that your state and local leaders are carefully monitoring and addressing the situation through bipartisan collaboration,” North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson said in a March 2 email to teachers, parents and caretakers.

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home

Tuesday, North Carolina officials confirmed the state's first COVID-19 case after a person in Wake County who recently visited a long-term care facility at the center of an outbreak in Washington state tested positive.

“Right now, we are asking everyone to be vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of any sickness,” he said, adding, “Your NC public schools are working closely with the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Thank you for helping us to keep our students and families healthy.”

SEE ALSO: NC Coronavirus: First Case Confirmed, Linked To WA Outbreak

Here are some of the tips Johnson provided aimed at preventing the spread of potential illness in schools and the community:

• avoid close contact with anyone who is sick
• stay home when sick
• cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• wash hands
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose or mouth
• Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home, work or school

RELATED: Coronavirus: North Carolina Should Plan Now For Pandemic Says CDC

Four travelers recently in China were monitored by Mecklenburg County health officials for possible exposure last month.

“While Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) considers novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a very serious public health threat, the current immediate health risk to the general public in North Carolina is considered low at this time,” MCPH said in a statement. “There are no confirmed cases of COVID -19 cases in North Carolina at this time. Nevertheless, MCPH is taking proactive steps to be able to respond if needed.”

RELATED: Coronavirus Monitoring Of 4 NC Travelers By Health Officials

Over the weekend, news of new confirmed COVID-19 cases emerged throughout the nation. Monday, a 39-year-old healthcare worker who recently returned home to New York City became the first person in New York State to test positive with what officials say is a mild respiratory illness. The woman is self-isolating in her home, according to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"She doesn't need a hospital," Cuomo said. "The case that tested positive should be an affirmation."

In Florida, two confirmed cases were reported in the Tampa region. As of Sunday, eight other patients in Florida awaited their test results and another 184 patients were under public health monitoring.

Public Health Guidance On Virus Prevention:

• Do not go to an emergency room unless absolutely essential. Those with symptoms including a cough, fever, or other respiratory issues are advised to contact their regular doctor first.
• If you're sick, stay home.
• Commit to excellent personal hygiene, including regular handwashing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in North Carolina and across the United States:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Coronavirus expected to spread
President Donald Trump spoke about the coronavirus outbreak Saturday, urging residents not to panic, saying, "If you are healthy, you will probably go through a process and you'll be fine," Politico reported.

Also Saturday, the White House imposed new travel restrictions, elevating travel warnings to regions of Italy and South Korea and banning travel to Iran.

The virus — which originated in Wuhan, China — has infected at least 89,254 people, and 3,048 people have died, creating a global pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. It is spreading so quickly overseas that infectious disease experts and scientists warn there may be no way to contain it.

Last week, a top official at the CDC said during a news conference it's only a matter of time before the new coronavirus spreads to communities across the United States. Communities, schools and businesses should begin preparing now for "the expectation that this could be bad," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease.

What is the new coronavirus?
The symptoms of the new coronavirus are similar to seasonal influenza, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Both are infectious respiratory illnesses, but they're caused by different viruses.

Both cause fever, cough, body aches and fatigue, and both can result in pneumonia. Both illnesses can sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea and can be spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing or talking.

Common good-health practices such as frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and staying home from work or school while sick can help control both illnesses.
Neither respond to antibiotic treatment, but both may be treated by addressing symptoms, such as reducing fever.

But there are some distinct differences between the two: Flu is caused by several types of viruses, while COVID-19 is caused by the new coronavirus, which is also called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2.

Johns Hopkins says there is some evidence COVID-19 could be airborne, "meaning that tiny droplets remaining in the air could cause disease in others even after the ill person is no longer near."

There is no vaccine to protect against the new coronavirus as there is against influenza. Scientists around the world are racing to find a vaccine for the new coronavirus, although none currently exists.

A company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has shipped vials of its novel coronavirus vaccine to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease for further research.

Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff, contributed to this report.