The Virginia Department of Health is monitoring the novel coronavirus outbreak in China very closely.
The VDH is also working with officials to screen people who have symptoms similar to that of the novel coronavirus. Those who officials think may have been infected are considered to be Persons Under Investigation.
The VDH defines PUI as “A Patient Under Investigation (PUI) is an individual who meets both clinical and epidemiologic criteria for 2019-nCoV”
In the early stages of the outbreak in Wuhan, China many of the patients had reported some link to a large seafood and animal market. This lead health officials to believe the spread was solely, animal-to-person spread.
According to press releases from the VDH “A a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.”
Here are some of the latest facts from the VDH:
- At this time, Virginia continues to have no confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
- VDH is closely monitoring and investigating any reports of illness potentially associated with novel coronavirus in the Commonwealth.
- A Patient Under Investigation (PUI) is an individual who meets both clinical and epidemiologic criteria for 2019-nCoV. Testing is conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- VDH updates information about PUIs and testing results updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus
- To protect patient confidentiality, VDH will not provide additional details about PUIs.
Colonial Beach News 