Cidrap
cidrap, The United States and South Korea confirmed its first cases of person-to-person spread of the virus. Scientists say transmission of the virus is most likely between people with close contact, like families. But there have been reported instances of people who may have had less exposure to the virus in Japan and Germany. The coronavirus has now infected more people in China than were sickened there during the 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS. Virologists believe it originated at a seafood market in the eastern Chinese town of Wuhan when someone or a group of people came into contact with wild animals being traded there.
cidrap - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronaviruses are common in camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Person-to-person transmissions are thought to occur when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Other ways the virus may spread from an infected person to others is through touching or shaking hands, or if a person touches a surface with the virus on it, then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes before washing their hands, the CDC says.
cidrap, But despite the WHO’s declaration of emergency, the immediate heal risk to the general American public still remains relatively low. Surgeon general say risk of coronavirus remains low, most people will not need hospitalization The risk of contracting coronavirus remains low for most Americans, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams reassured. In an interview on America's Newsroom with host Laura Ingle, Adams said that the administration wants the public to know the risk of infection and be prepared, but not to panic in the process.
cidrap - What you're going to hear from the president is what you've heard from him all along: that the risk to the average American of coronavirus at this time remains low, he said. However, we are seeing pockets in this country of increased cases of coronavirus. And so, we want people to prepare. Adams advised that Americans wash their hands frequently, cover a cough or sneeze, clean surfaces, and stay home if sick. That said, Adams warned that wearing a mask was not just ineffective, it was potentially harmful and may increase the risk of getting the virus.
cidrap - We know that masks are not effective for the general public in keeping them safe from coronavirus and may actually increase their risk of getting coronavirus or the flu because if you don't wear a mask properly you often will end up touching your face frequently and can increase your risk of exposure to a respiratory disease, he explained. When you look at the people who are getting coronavirus, 80 percent of them are not needing to be hospitalized, Adams continued. They're having a mild illness like the cold or like a minor flu.