Loudoun Urges Residents To Stay Informed About Novel Coronavirus

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Loudoun County health officials are recommending residents keep a close eye on the status of the novel coronavirus situation. While five people in the state have been tested for the illness to date, there are no known cases of the virus in Virginia. No vaccine currently exists to prevent novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded entry screenings to 20 existing U.S. airport quarantine stations, including Dulles International Airport in Loudoun County, in order to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV in the United States. Passenger screenings will include a review of travel history and a check for 2019-nCoV symptoms, the Loudoun County Health Department said Thursday in a news release.

The respiratory illness was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The CDC is recommending against all non-essential travel to China.

The CDC recommends commonsense preventive actions to help prevent the spread of the virus, such as washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-percent alcohol if soap and water are not available. People also should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and stay home when they are sick.

Loudoun County has posted information on its website to allow residents to stay up to date on the status of the novel coronavirus.