As of Monday, March 2, 2020, there are currently no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV (COVID-19) infections in Central California. At Valley Children’s, we are following the CDC and Health Department guidance on screening and testing symptomatic patients with risk factors for COVID-19.
In order to keep our patients as safe as possible, additional screening precautions have been implemented. Currently, patients and visitors are screened at all entrances of Valley Children’s Hospital with questions regarding health and recent travel history. Our security provides masks to symptomatic parents or guardians visiting their child when needed; however, other visitors and non-essential vendors with respiratory symptoms are not allowed in the hospital.
While the risk of Americans contracting the novel coronavirus is minimal, there are still other viruses to be concerned about, including RSV and influenza. The best measures to prevent the spread of any of these respiratory viruses include: proper hand hygiene, covering coughs or sneezes, keeping children home from school or daycare if they have symptoms and avoiding socializing with someone who has these symptoms.
For additional information on number of suspected and confirmed cases or COVID-19 disease as well as the latest updates, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/coronavirus.
By Dr. Mohammad Nael Mhaissen, Medical Director of Infectious Diseases at Valley Children's Healthcare