Indiana Has 1st Case Linked To Coronavirus: State Health Dept.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN —Governor Eric J. Holcomb is issuing a public health emergency for the state of Indiana as he and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced Friday the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a Marion County resident who recently traveled to Boston, according to a news release from ISDH.

“With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Holcomb said, according to the news release. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.”

The public health emergency declaration Gov. Holcomb is issuing today will call on state agencies to continue their diligence and cooperation in responding to coronavirus and ensures that Indiana can seek funding to control and stop the spread of coronavirus. The declaration will be posted at www.in.gov/gov.

ISDH said it's working closely with the Marion County Public Health Department, Community Hospital North and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that anyone in close contact with the patient are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

According to ISDH, a "presumptive positive case" means the patient has tested positive at the ISDH Laboratories. Samples will be sent to the CDC for final confirmation.

ISDH added that State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said the adult patient has been in quarantine since arriving back in Indianapolis and that the risk to the general public is low. The CDC will work to identify and notify air travelers who were on the individual’s flight from Boston and had close contact with the patient.

The patient will remain in isolation for 14 days and will not be released until ISDH said specimens taken two consecutive days at the end of that period test negative for the virus. No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

“The state health department has been preparing for weeks to ensure that we have the resources and systems in place to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Indiana,” Dr. Box said, in the news release. “Given the global spread of this illness, the question was never if Indiana would have a case, but when it would arrive. I want to stress that this is an isolated case, and that this patient and the hospital did everything possible to limit the risk of exposure to other individuals. Because of those steps, the risk of additional exposure and community transmission is low, but we are taking every precaution to prevent new infections related to this patient.”

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-Cov-2, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 and no antiviral treatment.

According to the news release, human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.

According to health officials, the best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Also read:

• Drugs In Development For SARS Could Work For Coronavirus, Chicago Researchers Find
• An Outbreak Of Coronavirus Misinformation: AP Fact Check
• Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home
• Prime Now Day Delay In NYC Amid Coronavirus Panic Shopping
• Bump Elbows To Avoid Coronavirus, U.S. Officials Say

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

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More information and updates via Indiana State Department of Health