CDC updates coronavirus guidance for health care personnel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance and resources for U.S. health care personnel working in environments possibly exposed to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The guidance for risk assessment and public health management of health care personnel potentially exposed to 2019-nCoV in a health care setting provides information on assessment of risk, monitoring, and work restriction decisions. Another resource offers ways health care workers can protect themselves from exposure and recommendations for environmental cleaning and disinfection.

With concerns of personal protective equipment shortages, CDC Sunday added an FAQ page on N-95 respirators and a general overview of PPE usage and strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators. 

The World Health Organization reports over 40,500 global confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV and 900 deaths, with the majority of both in China. While the number of new cases has slowed, the number of deaths jumped Sunday. Roughly 2% of cases are fatal, according to WHO.

"In recent days we have seen some concerning instances of onward transmission from people with no travel history to China, like the cases reported in France yesterday and the United Kingdom today,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today in a press briefing. At least 11 individuals may have been infected by a “super spreader” in Europe and England.  “The detection of this small number of cases could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire. But for now, it’s only a spark.”

Although confirmed cases in the U.S. remain at 12, several Americans on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan have tested positive, and one American died over the weekend in China.

For the latest information and resources, visit AHA’s coronavirus webpage.