2019 novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV)
On the afternoon of January 31, 2020 , the U.S. federal government declared the situation with novel coronavirus to be a Public Health Emergency, including updated travel and quarantine measures. We are working to get more details on this new federal action and will update this site as more information is available.
A new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China in December of 2019 and is currently referred to as novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. Novel coronavirus is very concerning because it’s new to humans and because it can cause serious infections, including pneumonia.
On January 21st, 2020, the Washington Department of Health announced the first case in the United States of 2019 nCov in a resident of Snohomish County, WA who had traveled to Wuhan recently. At this time, the risk to the general public locally is considered to be low, given that there is only one case identified in Washington.
However, the fact that this virus has caused severe illness and sustained person-to-person spread in China is very concerning. It’s unclear how the situation in the United States will unfold at this time and Public Health – Seattle & King County is working closely with the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health on monitoring and response.
As with any newly emerging infectious disease, knowledge evolves with time. Early on, it is difficult to know the source of the disease, the ways in which it spreads and how effectively it spreads from person to person, and the spectrum of illness – how severe the infection is. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
RESOURCES BY AUDIENCE
Public Health Insider blogs:
- Basic questions and answers about novel coronavirus in Washington
- 關於華盛頓新型冠狀病毒的問題和解答 (Chinese, Traditional)
- 关于华盛顿新型冠状病毒的问题和解答 (Chinese, Simplified)
- Preguntas y respuestas sobre un nuevo coronavirus en Washington (Spanish)
- 關於華盛頓新型冠狀病毒的問題和解答 (Chinese, Traditional)
- Coronavirus and quarantine: a Q & A with our health officer
- The 2019 novel coronavirus and pandemic preparedness
- Why the current exposure risk is low from novel coronavirus
CDC resource:
The Washington State Dept. of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public.
If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
- Information for school nurses and administrators, Washington State Dept. of Health
- Workplace recommendations, Washington State Dept. of Health
- Coronavirus, Travel and the Changing Situation, Public Health Insider
- Health Alert for Travelers from China in English and Chinese, CDC
- Travel Health Notices, CDC
Health advisories from Public Health — Seattle & King County:
- February 2, 2020
Update and interim guidance on outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- January 31, 2020
Update and interim guidance on outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- January 17, 2020
Update and interim guidance on outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) in Wuhan, China
- January 8, 2020
Pneumonia of unknown etiology, Wuhan City, China
CDC resources:
MORE INFORMATION FROM OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PARTNERS
- Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020, Washington State Dept. of Health
- ኖቭል ኮሮናቫይረስ
(Amharic) - 新型冠状病毒
(Chinese, Simplified) - 新型冠狀病毒
(Chinese, Traditional) - ីរុសកូរុ៉ូរប្រភេទថ្មី
(Khmer) - 신종 코로나바이러스
(Korean) - Новый штамм коронавируса
(Russian) - Caabuqa Xalfaafka Wadnaha
(Somali) - Nuevo coronavirus
(Spanish) - ไวรัสโคโรนาสายพันธุ์ใหม่
(Thai) - Vi-rút Corona Mới
(Vietnamese)
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Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/ncov