The nation — and South Dakota — preps for coronavirus

Editor's note: This story has been updated since it ran in print to reflect the most current information regarding the disease.

A total of 100 United States citizens have been infected by the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported March 5, with 10 deaths and 13 states reporting cases; however, no South Dakotans as of yet have been infected.

That’s not to say, though, that caution should not be used.

“The immediate risk to the general American public remains low,” said Alex Azar, secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), during a press briefing Feb 27. “But as we have warned, that has the potential to change quickly. There is now community transmission in a number of countries including outside of Asia. That’s deeply concerning and community spread in other countries will make successful containment at our borders harder and harder.”

Until last year, coronavirus had never been seen in humans before. Symptoms for the coronavirus include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In severe cases, infection from the coronavirus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. Elderly individuals and individuals with weakened immune systems are most likely to get the disease. 

The virus is spread through person-to-person contact, the CDC said. This constitutes spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within six feet) and via respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs or sneezes due to the fact that the droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby who might have inhaled the droplets into the lungs.

It is possible that someone could get coronavirus through contact with a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly the eyes; however, the CDC said that is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

People are believed to be the most contagious when they are the sickest, and most spread might be possible before people show symptoms, the CDC said, as there have been reports of this with new coronavirus but, once again, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Of the 14 U.S. citizens infected, two have come from person-to-person spread and 12 cases have come from travel-related incidents, the CDC reported.

The CDC also reported that three people repatriated to the U.S. from Wuhan, China — where the disease originated — and 42 people repatriated to the U.S. from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive.

South Dakota prepares

On Feb. 27 the Associated Press reported that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said the threat of the coronavirus in South Dakota is “very low.”

The Associated Press also reported that Noem said the South Dakota Department of Health is ensuring physicians can test for the virus and provide treatment in the case people are infected.

“We’ve identified supplies, made sure that we are adequately prepared,” Noem said to reporters, according to the Associated Press.

Dr. Josh Clayton, state epidemiologist with the South Dakota Department of Heath (DOH), said the department had been monitoring the coronavirus outbreak since it emerged in China in December of 2019.

The DOH has been following CDC guidelines, which includes monitoring travel from China to ensure those who might have been to exposed to the disease are quarantined to home and monitoring their symptoms so if they do become ill they can be treated.

“We are also focusing on partnering with healthcare partners to make sure they have the latest CDC guidance and be able to test them, if necessary,” Clayton said. “We also are making sure that our healthcare partners are also prepared and have the necessary protective equipment in order to take care of people who might have been infected.”

Clayton echoed Noem’s comments regarding the threat to South Dakota being low and individuals can take precautions by staying home if they become ill as well as avoid contact with individuals who are ill. In the event of an outbreak, Clayton said to follow the same precautions when it comes to preparing for a blizzard — make sure people have enough medicine, food and water.

“The biggest thing to focus on is the DOH will rapidly identify individuals who may be infected working with our healthcare partners,” Clayton said. “The DOH will also notify individuals if they have been exposed to the disease so they can monitor their symptoms. We do use those measures for other outbreaks for other outbreak events. Our focus is preventing transmission throughout the state.”

While the coronavirus is similarly transmitted to influenza, the two diseases are from different family of viruses, Clayton said.

There is no vaccine against the disease at this time, Clayton said. Health officials are looking at what antiviral medicines are available for humans because no one has seen this disease in humans before and the population is susceptible.

“It is important we do what we can to reduce spread within South Dakota and our communities to make sure the virus does not have the capability to spread in a widespread fashion like we have seen in Wuhan, China,” Clayton said.

A national response

Azar said in his press briefing that HHS has partnered with state, local and private sector partners in order to mitigate the virus’s potential because there will most likely be other cases within the U.S.

“This preparation has been possible in part because of how aggressively (President Donald Trump) has responded to this outbreak,” Azar said. “As soon as we knew of the threat presented by this novel virus, public health leaders were monitoring it and beginning to prepare.”

The White House sent a request of $2.5 billion to congress Feb. 26 for “preparedness and response” to combat the coronavirus, Azar added. This includes bolstering the monitoring system used by the CDC for tracking influenza cases and funds for public health preparation response for state and local governments for a “large-scale” response, if needed. The funds will also be used to create vaccines for the virus as well as therapeutics.

“Federal funding and guidance can accelerate this work,” Azar said.

Funds will be used for personal protection equipment for the national stockpile. The Trump administration will be transparent when it comes to reporting on the virus, Azar concluded, and will keep the American people and media informed on what to do and if there are any reported cases.

The DOH continues to monitor the emergence of the coronavirus, the department said on a webpage specifically dedicated to the coronavirus, and it is working with the CDC and healthcare partners throughout the state to prepare and respond to potential cases.

DOH officials say anyone who has returned from China should self-monitor for 14 days for symptoms.

To avoid getting coronavirus, the DOH recommends following the CDC’s travel health notices if traveling internationally, contacting a doctor if one falls ill after international travel, covering one’s nose and mouth with a tissue or into one’s shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing, avoid touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth, washing hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel and staying home if sick.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask if one is well to protect themselves from respiratory diseases — including coronavirus — and said facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

Facemasks, though, are important for health workers and people taking care of someone in close settings, the CDC said.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.