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Coronavirus

Local hospitals say they’re ready if the Corona virus comes to Idaho. 

The coronavirus is a virus that first broke out in Wuhan, China at a live animal shop. This virus is known to be in animals such as cats, snakes, bats, etc. One person in China got this virus and eventually it spread to different countries from person to person. There have been some cases in the United States, which have been in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin.  

Due to all the news and media bombarding with the topic of the coronavirus there have been a lot of questions about this disease and how we can stay safe from it.  

“We are still in low, per CDC, risk factor in the United States,” said April Walker, the infection control manager at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.  

There haven’t been any reported cases in Idaho, but that doesn’t mean local hospitals aren’t prepared for the possibility.  

If a patient was diagnosed with coronavirus, they would become a priority to the hospital, due to the danger of spreading it to others. They would be masked immediately, given a respiratory mask and would be taken to a negative pressure room, which is an isolation precaution for airborne, Walker said.  

Doctors would wear gloves, gowns, and eye protection.  

“Washing your hands is one of the biggest things you can do to prevent infections,” Walker said. This virus is spread the same way compared to the common cold, so it’s important to stay aware of the importance of washing your hands, avoid touching your face and be far away from people who are about to sneeze or cough.  

“At this point in time its low in The United States and we will keep treating it as the CDC Guidelines of Airborne Precaution,” Walker said.