Health officials in Butler County are monitoring two possible cases of the highly contagious coronavirus that was first identified in China. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed five cases of the disease in the US, but none so far in the state of Ohio.
On Monday morning, a Miami University student went to student health services with very mild symptoms. Because the student had recently traveled to China, he and his travel companion met the criteria to be tested for the coronavirus. Samples were sent to the CDC and the results are expected by the end of the week. The two students are now isolated in their off-campus home while they wait for their test results.
Dr. Amy Acton, director of health for the Ohio Department of Health, stressed that the risk of contracting the coronavirus remains low:
“We are much more likely to see a disease of contagion of fear than the actual disease. As a matter of fact, you are much more likely to get the flu or another cold right now,” she said.
She recommends the general population take normal precautions to protect from illness, including hand washing and staying home from work or school when sick. More information and updates can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website.
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