The CDC and Johns Hopkins are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus outbreak. We need to reach out and seek knowledge about coronavirus, as well.

This map is produced by Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE). You might think of it as a real time tracker of the coronavirus outbreak. If you click on the map, you will brought to the CSSE website. From there you can explore the spread of the virus. If you click on a red dot, you will be given the name of the location and additional data.

The Johns Hopkins Tracker

The CDC

The CDC had a news conference today. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the head of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases reported. She said it’s not a question if the coronavirus will happen in the United States; instead, when it will happen. Right now, there are just a few cases in the U.S. The map below shows the distribution of the cases as of 2/25/2020.

Facts about Coronavirus

A good summary of the coronavirus disease can be found at this CDC page, which is updated regularly.

Here are some of the facts about the coronavirus from the CDC.

For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.

Under current circumstances, certain people will have an increased risk of infection. This will include healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19. Others in close contacts of persons with COVID-19 will also be at risk. CDC has developed guidance to help in the risk assessment and management of people with potential exposures to COVID-19.

More cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including more cases in the United States. It’s also likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in the United States.

Global efforts at this time are focused concurrently on containing spread of this virus and mitigating the impact of this virus. 

CDC is organizing all of its pandemic preparedness and response plans.

It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine. Everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs should be practiced. Take flu antivirals if prescribed.

People who have been diagnosed with the virus tend to have a fever and cough, and some have difficulty breathing. The symptoms appear to set in at some point between two days and two weeks after the person has been exposed to the virus.