Kings Health Department health officer updates local residents about Coronavirus impact

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of February 27, 2020, there were 33 positive cases in California. On Saturday, health officials announced that a first-person, a Washington State woman, has died from the virus.

It was on February 11,  2020, that the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease first identified in Wuhan China.  Since this outbreak, COVID-19 has expanded to 48 countries with deaths reported in China, Italy, Iran, Japan, and South Korea. This outbreak continues to grow in scope and magnitude, with cases now reported in the United States.

On February 26, 2020, the first confirmed case of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 was reported within the general public.  The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County. The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual. Investigations are ongoing to learn more about how the virus spreads. 

Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties, which may occur two to 14 days after exposure. Dr. Teske recommends that if you have traveled to one of the countries mentioned above or have been around someone who has gone there within the last two weeks, and you develop symptoms, call your provider or healthcare facility first for further information. 

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control is recommending testing for COVID-19 if the following criteria have been met:

• Individuals with symptoms, including healthcare workers, who have had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset.
• Individuals with symptoms, with a travel history from affected geographic areas (China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea) within 14 days of symptom onset.
• Individuals with symptoms requiring hospitalization where there is no alternative diagnosis (e.g., influenza).