3 Michigan Residents Being Tested For Possible Coronavirus

MICHIGAN — Michigan health officials are coming together to investigate illnesses that have presented similar symptoms to the 2019 novel Coronavirus, the state announced Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, local public health departments and the state’s healthcare community released a statement saying they are "actively monitoring the Novel Coronavirus 2019 outbreak originating in Wuhan, China."

Their efforts include special attention to people who present with symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, fever, and whose travel history includes Wuhan or those who have had contact with an ill individual who is under investigation for coronavirus.

What Is A Novel Coronavirus? Health Officials Explain

To date, the state health department has evaluated referrals from several counties and approved specimens from two individuals in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb County for testing at the CDC, state officials said.

"Given the number of specimens being tested nationally, no specific turnaround time is available, but results are expected within several days," state officials said in the announcement. "Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly."

All cases being investigated in Michigan have presented with "mild illness," according to Michigan's health officials. Those people are reportedly self-isolating and being monitored by local health departments, including anyone else who has been in close contact with them.

“At MDHHS, we recognize the potential threat associated with this virus and are working to identify any suspect cases in Michigan,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, department chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Our goal is to quickly identify individuals with the virus and prevent any potential spread. We encourage healthcare providers to remain vigilant in screening patients for symptoms and travel history, and to contact their local health departments immediately if they see a potential case.”

About Coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses common among animals and humans. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted from animals to humans. This novel coronavirus is a newly discovered version that has not been previously detected in animals or humans. The source is not yet known.
Novel Coronavirus 2019 has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan. Investigations are ongoing to learn more, but person-to-person spread of the virus has occurred according to CDC.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If anyone believes that they have symptoms and have recently traveled to Wuhan, China, or have been in contact with someone who has had the virus, they should call their healthcare provider or hospital prior to arriving so that the appropriate preventive measures can be put in place.

Public health screenings for travelers from Wuhan have been implemented at five U.S. airports including Atlanta , Chicago , San Francisco , New York and Los Angeles.

The coronavirus in the U.S.

Nationwide, health officials are now monitoring two confirmed cases in the United States and 63 potential cases in 22 states connected to the growing outbreak in China.

A Chicago patient confirmed with the disease is in her 60s and is in stable condition, Dr. Nancy Messonnier said during a CDC conference call Friday morning. Messonnier is director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

The woman reportedly traveled to Wuhan, China, in late December and flew back to Chicago on Jan. 13. She called a health care provider after experiencing symptoms a few days later, the CDC said.

The woman was admitted to a hospital, where measures were taken to reduce the risk of transmission to other people. Health officials said she remained hospitalized Friday in an isolation room and was in stable condition.

The CDC said the Chicago woman has limited close contacts, who are being monitored for symptoms but are all currently well. "Since returning from China, the patient has had very limited movement outside the home," according to the CDC.

She's the second patient in the U.S. to be diagnosed with the illness, which authorities said is responsible for at least 26 deaths in China. Worldwide, 830 cases have been reported. On Tuesday, a man in Washington state was confirmed to be the first patient in the United States to be diagnosed with the illness.