NJ Coronavirus Risk: 9 Things To Know As Students 'Self-Isolate'

NEW JERSEY — Authorities in New Jersey say they're taking "every precaution necessary" to ensure residents are protected against the 2019 novel coronavirus, even as students at one college have been ordered to "self-isolate" over fears that the disease could spread in the Garden State. Patch has nine things you need to know (see below).

Students and staff at Princeton University who have returned from mainland China over the last 14 days, and have been classified as "high" or "medium" risk, have been ordered to "self-isolate." They're not allowed to attend classes or school events. Read more: Princeton U. Students To 'Self Isolate' Over Fears Of Coronavirus

New Jersey, meanwhile, is recommending that anyone should voluntarily "self-quarantine" from the public while the disease is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Currently, there are 17,400 confirmed cases globally and more than 300 deaths. About 150 cases have been confirmed across 25 other countries, and there are 11 confirmed cases in the U.S.: Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Illinois (2) and California (6), according to the state Department of Health.

“Outbreaks like this – when a new virus is emerging to infect people – are always concerning,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “The situation poses a serious public health threat, but the risk to New Jersey residents remains low and our level of preparedness is high.”

Here are nine things to know about coronavirus' risk in New Jersey and how the state is dealing with the threat:

• So far, no cases have been confirmed in New Jersey. Two possible cases of the virus were investigated but they were cleared; one was at Hackensack University Medical Center and the other was at an unknown location.
• New Jersey employees and students are considered at high risk if they've traveled to Wuhan/Hubei Province in the past two weeks and have been in close contact with an individual confirmed with the virus, or while the person was symptomatic or visiting, living with or caring for someone confirmed with 2019-nCoV.
• "Close contact" is defined as being 6 feet or within the room or care area of an individual with 2019-nCoV for a prolonged period of time, the NJDOH says.
• The Department of Health recommends that these individuals voluntarily self-quarantine for two weeks from their last exposure and should contact their university/health center, employer or local health department to arrange for active monitoring during this time.
• Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Monday that establishes the Coronavirus Task Force to coordinate all state efforts to appropriately prepare for and respond to the public health hazard posed by the disease.
• Murphy also noted that Newark Liberty International Airport will serve as one of 11 major airports in the United States authorized to receive flights from China that require enhanced entry screening for the coronavirus. Read more: Coronavirus: Feds Funnel Planes From China To Newark Airport
• Anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and feels sick with fever, cough, or is having difficulty breathing should seek medical care right away. The CDC said symptoms of 2019 coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or could take as long as 14 days after exposure.
• Most coronaviruses cause mild respiratory illnesses, similar to the common cold, and a fever. Some can be more severe, such as SARS and MERS, health officials say.
• More information on the virus can be found nj.gov/health/coronavirus.