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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoronavirus-memo-1-23-20 Colleen Chawla, HCSA Director Lauri McFadden, EMS Director Karl Sporer, MD, Medical Director Main: (510) 618-2050 Fax: (510) 618-2099 ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY Emergency Medical Services Agency 1000 San Leandro Blvd, Suite 200 San Leandro, CA 94577 Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV) Outbreak January 23, 2020  Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak  Causes upper respiratory symptoms as well as pneumonia  Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our Public Health departments continue to closely monitor an outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China that began in December 2019. This coronavirus causes upper respiratory symptoms as well as pneumonia. There have been recent human-to- human transmissions and health care workers have become infected. There are more than 500 global cases and at least 17 deaths reported. Alameda Public Health Department is actively monitoring this rapidly evolving situation. The best up-to-date national information can be found at CDC’s 2019-ncov website. For Alameda County specific public health guidance and instructions for reporting, check http://www.acphd.org/  Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been seen in multiple countries including the US - Confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and recently in the United States.  All travelers from Wuhan City are being screened at our international airport (SFO) - Passengers on direct and indirect incoming flights from Wuhan City, China will be screened by the CDC at selected U.S. international airports including SFO for symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath) and fever.  Patients Under Investigation (PUI) - o Persons with fever and lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days of travel from Wuhan, OR who were in close contact with a PUI or ill laboratory-confirmed case of 2019-nCoV OR Persons with fever or lower respiratory symptoms and close contact with a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV within 14 days of symptoms Once a PUI has been identified, samples to confirm or rule out Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCoV) are collected. Samples must be collected in a health care setting that has an Airborne Infection Isolation Room and by health care providers using personal protective equipment for airborne, contact, eye protection, and standard precautions.  Possible EMS involvement with Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Our EMS system may become involved with these patients in several scenarios.  PUI may need transport to a medical facility.  Patient with a history of recent travel to Wuhan City, China and fever or respiratory symptoms may contact their medical providers resulting in a 911 call.  Patient with a history of recent travel to Wuhan City, China and fever or respiratory symptoms may call 911. EMS providers should take the following precautions in these scenarios:  Have the patient wear a facemask  Use standard, contact, airborne and eye protection o Gloves, gown, and eye protection (goggles or face shield)  Providers should use a fit-tested N-95 or P-100 mask  Contact Alameda County Public Health Acute Communicable Disease for all possible Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) patients at 510-267- 3250 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm; after hours and on weekends and holidays, call Alameda County Fire Dispatch at 925-422- 7595 and ask for the Public Health Duty Officer On Call.  If the patient is clinically stable, coordinate arrangement and notification of the accepting hospital with Alameda County Public Health Acute Communicable Disease Control  Contact your supervisor  Use standard decontamination procedures after the call is completed For further questions, you can contact the EMS duty officer via ACCREC.