Novel Coronavirus Update

The number of people affected by the novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, which originated in China is climbing. There are now cases reported in several countries around the world, including the United States and Canada. As of 7 a.m. EST, January 27, there have been reports of 5 diagnosed cases in the U.S. and 1 in Canada. This map, maintained by researchers at Johns Hopkins, keeps track of the number of cases reported worldwide.

The Chinese government has implemented quarantines in certain cities and limited outbound transportation. It still isn’t known how the virus is spread. According to a Vox article by Catherine Kim, updated yesterday, health experts are still staying there is no cause for global alarm: ““Make no mistake, this is an emergency in China. But it has not yet become a global health emergency,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, has said. However, they continue to closely monitor the situation and are concerned that the virus may be more contagious than originally thought.”

The best resources to use in order to keep up to date on the status of 2019-nCoV are the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Johns Hopkins map (linked above) is updated regularly and has an associated blog where the experts explain what the virus is and how it is progressing.

Any infection can cause sepsis. No matter what has made you ill, a viral infection, a bacterial infection, or a fungal infection, if you start to experience any signs of sepsis, call 911 or go to your local emergency department.

To learn more about the novel coronavirus, visit Sepsis and Coronavirus (COVID-19).