First Hoosier Covid 19 case in Indianapolis

STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS 1^st CASE OF COVID-19
IN HOOSIER WITH RECENT TRAVEL

INDIANAPOLIS—Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced today the first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in a Marion County resident with a recent history of travel to Boston. To ensure continued coordination, Gov. Holcomb is issuing a public health emergency declaration.

“With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.”

ISDH is working closely with the Marion County Public Health Department, Community Hospital North and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that any close contacts of the patient are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

A presumptive positive case means the patient has tested positive at the ISDH Laboratories. Samples will be sent to the CDC for final confirmation.

The public health emergency declaration Gov. Holcomb is issuing today will call on state agencies to continue their diligence and cooperation in responding to COVID-19 and ensures that Indiana can seek funding to control and stop the spread of coronavirus. The declaration will be posted at www.in.gov/gov.

State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said the adult patient has been in quarantine since arriving back in Indianapolis and that the risk to the general public is low. The CDC will work to identify and notify air travelers who were on the individual’s flight from Boston and had close contact with the patient.

The patient will remain in isolation for 14 days and will not be released until specimens taken two consecutive days at the end of that period test negative for COVID-19. No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

“The state health department has been preparing for weeks to ensure that we have the resources and systems in place to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Indiana,” Dr. Box said. “Given the global spread of this illness, the question was never if Indiana would have a case, but when it would arrive. I want to stress that this is an isolated case, and that this patient and the hospital did everything possible to limit the risk of exposure to other individuals. Because of those steps, the risk of additional exposure and community transmission is low, but we are taking every precaution to prevent new infections related to this patient.”

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

•  Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
•  Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
•  Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
•  Rarely, fecal contamination.

The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:

•  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
•  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
•  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•  Stay home when you are sick.
•  Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
•  Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

This is an ongoing situation and is evolving rapidly. ISDH will provide updates as new information becomes available. For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit https://on.in.gov/COVID19.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at http://www.in.gov/isdh/ or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.

P&G Launches New Line of Antibacterial Cleaning

PG

"I work in a salon and also have children at home, so for me to be able to clean something and then forget about it for 24 hours is amazing"

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, P&G announced the launch of Microban 24, a new brand of antibacterial home sanitizing products that keeps surfaces protected against bacteria for 24 hours when used as directed. Not only does Microban 24 kill 99.9% of bacteria on contact, but it also keeps working throughout the day. Microban 24 provides a protective shield that keeps killing bacteria for a full 24 hours, even when the surface is touched or contacted multiple times.

Bacteria can survive on surfaces anywhere from several hours up to several days. In fact, under ideal conditions bacteria can grow and multiply every 20 minutes. The bacteria living on the surface are transferred to people through contact so anything we touch can possibly be a bacteria-contaminated surface. According to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll, 84% of Americans believe that their current household antibacterial products provide some level of lasting antibacterial protection beyond the moment of application2. What they don’t know is that many disinfectants allow bacteria to be reintroduced to surfaces after being touched.

“People deserve an antibacterial product that works as hard as they do to shield their home from the spread of bacteria,” said Martin Hettich, VP North America Home Care, P&G. “The antibacterial surface category hasn’t seen a true product innovation in a long time; we want to push beyond the status quo and offer families a new sanitizing product that keeps working around the clock. Now, they can rest easier knowing our breakthrough technology is hard at work, even when they’re not cleaning.”

The power behind Microban 24’s proven technology relies on a unique, multi-layer protective shield that forms wherever you apply it and allow to air dry. This multi-layer shield then activates small amounts of bacterial fighting ingredients over time, providing continuous antibacterial protection for up to 24 hours when used as directed.

“I work in a salon and also have children at home, so for me to be able to clean something and then forget about it for 24 hours is amazing,” said Jennifer G., a consumer from Microban 24’s early test market. “I spray it at night before I go to sleep, and then the next day it’s good for everyone who’s cycling through.”

Microban 24 is available in three different forms: a Sanitizing Spray, a Multi-Purpose Cleaner, and a Bathroom Cleaner in both Fresh Scent and Citrus Scent. The Microban 24 product lineup is now sold at major retailers nationwide as well as online.

To learn more, please visit Microban24.com. Follow Microban 24 on Instagram and Facebook at @Microban24 for tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your cleaning products, as well as updates on future innovations and offerings.

1

Microban 24 provides continuous protection against the Enterobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, for up to 24 hours when used as directed.

INDIANA TAKES ACTION TO ADDRESS NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is leading the state’s efforts to educate Hoosiers about the 2019 novel coronavirus that originated in China, ensuring that the public, healthcare providers and local health departments have the latest information available to keep themselves and their communities healthy.

“There continues to be no confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus in Indiana at this time,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said.

 “At my direction, the Indiana State Department of Health is working in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as other federal, state and local partners, to share information and monitor this evolving public health situation. While there is no need for immediate concern, the state will remain on alert to ensure Hoosiers are protected.”

Indiana currently has no suspected cases of novel coronavirus under investigation. One Hoosier who recently traveled to China is on self-quarantine in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. That individual is not symptomatic, and all appropriate measures are being taken. No additional information about the individual will be provided due to privacy laws.

State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said information about the novel coronavirus outbreak is changing rapidly and encouraged Hoosiers to check the ISDH website for the most current information.

“We learn something new every day about this illness,” Box said. “While the news reports are concerning, I want to reassure Hoosiers that the majority of the patients under investigation in the U.S. so far have tested negative for novel coronavirus and remind them that seasonal influenza poses a greater health risk at this time.”

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.

The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you are a healthcare provider with a patient who is experiencing symptoms of novel coronavirus or an individual who has symptoms and recently traveled to China, please contact the ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center at 317-233-7125 [317-233-1325 after hours] or email epiresource@isdh.in.gov.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.

What & Where #Novelcoronavirus FYI

What are the symptoms of coronavirus? 

Confirmed 2019-nCoV infections have ranged little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms are described as pneumonia-like: coughing, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath.
Infection heat map

Below are a series of screenshots illustrating where the outbreak began. It has since spread to other continents. The last screenshot is of a press release tweeted in Japanese and transcribed with Google transcription services. Below those screenshots is a long but comprehensive video about the issue.

symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. Click here for more from CDC. 

Coronavirus outbreak: 2nd U.S. case confirmed in Chicago

Coronavirus outbreak: Public Health Agency of Canada provides update

CORONAVIRUS LIVE UPDATE: CDC confirm second U.S. case

By Julie Steenhuysen

(Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday confirmed a second U.S. case of the new coronavirus from China in a Chicago woman, and said as many as 63 potential cases were being investigated as the sometimes deadly illness continues to spread around the globe.
Of the 63 people under investigation from 22 states, 11 have so far tested negative, CDC said on a conference call with reporters.
News of the woman in Chicago infected with the virus that originated in Wuhan, China, followed the announcement earlier this week of a man from Washington state who was diagnosed with the virus after returning from Wuhan.
The newly discovered virus has killed 26 people and infected more than 800.

Most of the cases and all of the deaths so far have been in China, where officials have imposed severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings.
The virus has created alarm, but there are a still many unknowns surrounding it, such as just how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. It can lead to pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases.
The 60-year-old woman from Chicago had traveled to Wuhan in December and returned Jan. 13.
Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said on a conference call that the woman is in stable condition and remains in an unnamed Chicago hospital primarily for infection control purposes.
The woman had not taken public transportation and was not ill when she traveled, Arwady said.
A few days after arriving home, the patient began to feel unwell and called ahead to alert her doctor to her illness. The physician asked about her travel history, quickly put a mask on the patient, and directed her to a hospital with infection control capabilities, Arwady said.
Hospital staff performed a full clinical examination and worked with public health officials to arrange testing for the novel coronavirus at the CDC.
The CDC said it believes the immediate threat is low, but added that there are likely to be more patients under investigation in coming days.
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the virus an "emergency in China", but stopped short of declaring it a global health emergency.

(Reporting by Saumya Sibi Joseph in Bengaluru and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Bill Berkrot)