01-28-2020
CATTARAUGUS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
*****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*****

No Immediate Threat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by the 2019-novel coronavirus (nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, China, and has now been identified in various parts of the United States. Other countries reporting cases include Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. The Cattaraugus County Health Department (CCHD) is ready for the possibility that travelers with the virus could arrive in the county.

Symptoms may include runny nose, headache, fever, cough, sore throat and a general ill feeling. There is no specific treatment for illnesses caused by coronaviruses. Most people will recover on their own after resting and drinking plenty of fluids. To relieve symptoms, people with the virus can take pain and fever medication, use a room humidifier or take hot showers to help ease a sore throat and cough. Anyone experiencing symptoms with a recent travel history to Wuhan or has had contact with someone from Wuhan (within 14 days) should first call their health care provider and await further instructions to avoid exposing others.” Coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands, or rarely, fecal contamination.

Cattaraugus County Health Department is working with state and federal partners to learn more about this virus and has developed an information page to provide guidance for the general public.

Cattaraugus County Health Department would coordinate any local response with the CDC, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), local hospitals, medical providers, and emergency medical services. Measures are in place to screen and monitor travelers from this region at five U.S. airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

For more information about coronavirus, go to the Cattaraugus County Health Department COVID-19 page.