By Chris Padilla
The California Department of Public Health has confirmed two cases of new coronavirus in Southern California as of Jan. 26 with no fatalities.
The virus claimed 106 lives in Wuhan, China and spread across several nations late last year and in January. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed five cases of the virus in the U.S. as of Jan. 27, according to CNN.
As of Tuesday, there are no confirmed cases in Santa Clara County, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The cases confirmed in California were found in Los Angeles County and Orange County.
The new coronavirus, also known as the novel coronavirus or 2019 nCoV, is a strain of the virus not previously seen in humans, according to the CDC.
The symptoms include fever, coughing, muscle aches and shortness of breath, said Barbara Fu, San Jose State interim clinical supervisor.
The illness can progress to severe viral pneumonia and death.
The virus can be transferred person-to-person, which means that it can be transmitted after close contact with someone infected, according to the World Health Organization.
“There are no confirmed cases in Santa Clara County according to the Santa Clara Public Health Department,” Fu said. “Even so, we are working to be proactive and prepared and are closely monitoring the situation.”
To minimize the risk of catching the virus, Fu advises frequent hand washing with soap and water and to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
She also advises avoiding close contact with sick people.
The symptoms of novel coronavirus are similar to those of the common cold or flu, Fu said.
She advises people who have these symptoms and have recently traveled to China to inform their healthcare provider or the Student Health Center.
Fu also said to wear face masks when traveling to medical providers.
