Louisiana reports first case of coronavirus in New Orleans area
The first case of the new coronavirus has been reported in the New Orleans area, the Louisiana governor’s office said Monday.
A resident of Jefferson Parish, which includes Kenner and the airport, has the first “presumptive positive” case of COVID-19, the Louisiana Department of Health said.
“The CDC still believes the risk to the general public is low, but we will work quickly and decisively to assess the risk to those around this patient,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a statement.
The test will be sent to the Centers for Disease control for final confirmation. “Because of the reliability of the test, Louisiana will move forward as if the test is an actual positive and take actions to contain the illness and assess the risk of spread,” the governor’s office said in the press release.
Those actions include investigating people who have come into close contact with the patient, including healthcare workers. The Office of Public Health with administer more tests and those at risk could be quarantined for 14 tests, even if their initial test is not positive.
What Mississippians need to know
While no Mississippi cases have been confirmed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 164 cases of COVID-19 across 19 states as of Jan. 21. The outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has spread to more than 90 locations worldwide, according to the CDC.
The Mississippi State Department of Health is coordinating with the CDC to implement preventative measures to work with communities and local hospitals.
MSDH says the risk of infection spreading in Mississippi is low, but it is “aggressively responding to the rapidly evolving virus” in the event of an outbreak. The CDC says 48 states are verified in COVID-19 testing procedures, including Mississippi.
What Coast hospitals are doing
Memorial Hospital at Gulfport CEO Kent Nicaud sent a message to employees saying the hospital had not yet identified or treated any known cases of COVID-19.
The hospital is able to:
- identify and isolate patients with possible COVID-19 and inform the correct facility staff and public health authorities
- care for a limited number of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 as part of routine operations
- communicate effectively within the facility and plan for appropriate external communication related to COVID-19.
Nicaud also said to consider “a friendly fist or elbow bump instead of a customary handshake.”
Employees with a fever of more than 100 degrees or who have respiratory symptoms should not come to work, he said.
Beginning March 9, Garden Park Medical Center will enforce precautionary measures to protect against COVID-19:
patient/visitor screening prior to entry
measures in event of a positive COVID-19 screening
cancel/reschedule events or classes
New signage to assist patients in the hospital
CEO Randy Rogers stated in a release that COVID-19 symptoms can present in a mild manner, similar to the flu, and patients can recover from the virus at home with rest and fluids.
“Those highest at risk are individuals over 65, those who are immunosuppressed or those with a chronic medical disease or illness,” Rogers said in a release. “The best protection right now is hand washing, covering your cough, avoiding large groups of people and refraining from touching your face, nose and mouth.”
Lee Bond, CEO of Singing River Health System, said that while the hospital is not currently implementing wholesale screening of all visitors at the moment, a concrete plan is in place to do so if or when a case is noted in the region.
What to do for COVID-19 testing
MSDH said those at-risk of coronavirus are only people who have traveled to a COVID-19-affected country or come in contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
The MSDH recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms of fever, shortness of breath and coughing should call a health care professional. Anyone experiencing these symptoms that has traveled to a widespread infected country within 14 days should alert a health care professional to their recent travel.
“If you develop a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness and have had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, you should call ahead to a healthcare professional and mention your exposure to a COVID-19 patient,” the MSHD said.
Taking precautions
MSDH states these precautions can be taken by individuals to avoid contact and spread of COVID-19:
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home if sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes; Cough, sneeze or blow nose into a tissue and throw tissue away.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash hands after coughing or sneezing, using the bathroom
Clean, disinfect surfaces.
Stay active, eat right and take measures to stay healthy.
Get a flu shot.
MSHD implemented a coronavirus hotline, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-978-6453.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 2:48 PM.