RI Health Department 'Closely Monitoring' Coronavirus Outbreak

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Health is "closely monitoring" the recent outbreak of coronavirus, the department said Thursday. At this time, just one case of the illness has been confirmed in the United States, in Washington State.

The department is coordinating with the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and healthcare providers across the state, a spokesperson said in a statement.

"This coordination has included sending out summaries of the national situation, criteria to guide evaluation of patients, and guidance on reporting, testing, and specimen collection," the statement read in part. "At this point, we’re doing our best to make sure that the Rhode Island healthcare provider community is as informed as possible."

On Wednesday night, passengers on a flight from Hong Kong were screened at Logan Airport. No one on board showed any symptoms.