Second Coronavirus Case Confirmed In North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — A Chatham County man who recently traveled to Italy has become the second case of new coronavirus confirmed in the state, according to North Carolina public health officials. The case is unrelated to a confirmed COVID-19 case of the virus in Wake County, according to reports.

The Chatham County man is in isolation in his home and doing well, according to state health officials, the Charlotte Observer reported.

The man initially experienced mild flu-like systems while traveling to an area of Italy experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak in late February, however flew back to the U.S. after his fever went away, the newspaper said.

He is considered a “contact” for a COVID-19 case in Georgia, the newspaper said.

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Earlier this week, a person in Wake County who recently visited a long-term care facility at the center of an outbreak in Washington state tested positive for the new coronavirus, becoming North Carolina's first confirmed case.

"I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared," said Gov. Roy Cooper, WCNC reported. "Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur."

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home

Cooper announced Tuesday that NCSLPH will now be able to conduct testing for the virus, which will help facilitate a quicker state-level response to the virus. "Testing is already underway in our state lab and that means we get results faster," Cooper said.

Globally, more than 100,000 people have been infected and over 3,400 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Tuesday afternoon. Of that total, more than 80,000 cases are in China, while the entire United States has 239 confirmed cases to date.
It's caused by a member of the coronavirus that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses.

Background:
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when someone coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, the health department said.

Symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death.

Those who are at risk have recently traveled to China; have close, personal contact with recent travelers to China; have close, personal contact with one who has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus; or care for those who have the new coronavirus, according to health officials.

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 are 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 Georgia and across the United States:

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

Coronavirus expected to spread
President Donald Trump spoke about the coronavirus outbreak Saturday, urging Americans 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 has been 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 if sick, can help control both illnesses.

Neither respond to antibiotic treatment, but both may be treated by addressing symptoms, such as reducing fever.

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.

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