COLUMBUS – The head of Ohio’s state Health Department has taken action that calls for doctors, hospitals and other health officials to immediately report any suspected cases of a virus that has killed at least 41 people in China.
Updated 1/25/20 11:19 a.m.
As a reminder, viruses like the #Coronavirus typically spread between people who have had close contact with someone with the virus. Learn more: https://t.co/ElfvCaQWoo
— Ohio Dept of Health (@OHdeptofhealth) January 25, 2020
Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health has declared novel coronavirus an “immediately reportable disease,” which requires physicians and administrators of hospitals, clinics or other institutions, as well as laboratory administrators and anyone who knows of someone with the virus to the local health district where the person lives or is being evaluated.
“Anticipatory action like this is critical to ensuring that we are protecting Ohioans. It is our sincere hope that this virus does not spread but if it does, Ohio’s public health system is prepared,” Acton said.
The action elevates the virus, known as 2019-nCoV to a Class A disease and is intended to ensure timely reporting of suspected cases, should the need arise, Acton said.
No cases have been reported in Ohio but cases have been confirmed in Washington state and Chicago.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the disease a low risk to the public, she said.
The number of confirmed cases in China, where the outbreak began, rose to more than 1,200 people with 41 fatalities by Saturday morning.
Thirteen cities, with a combined population of approximately 33 million people were placed on lockdown this week to halt the spread of the virus.
The city of Wuhan where the outbreak started is banning most vehicles from downtown to restrict people’s movement, while Hong Kong is closing schools for two weeks.
The vast majority of the infections and all the deaths have been in mainland China, but fresh cases are popping up. Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases Saturday and Japan confirmed its third.