The New Orleans Health Department has been monitoring the coronavirus — or the 2019 novel coronavirus (201-nCoV), as it's formally called — and the city on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss its preparedness.
According to a press release, the risk of the general New Orleans public contracting the coronavirus is "very low." There 11 cases in the U.S., none of them in Louisiana.
The New Orleans Health Department and Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness held Wednesday's meeting to "ensure that all agencies within New Orleans are developing coordinated plans to respond to possible cases," the press release said.
The health department has been working with New Orleans health care providers to make sure they're prepared to identify, test for and treat possible cases of conornavirus, and implement infection control procedures.
New federal guidelines for people with a travel history to China, where the virus originated in Wuhan City, are under review by the city and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Port of New Orleans, Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol. The federal government is not recommending screening at MSY, but flights with passangers from China are being rerouted to the 11 airports where they are screening.
The health department is also on weekly calls with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and working directly with the Louisiana Department of Health.
The best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus (or any virus, including this season's flu) is to wash your hands regularly, stay home when you are sick, and cover your mouth when you cough.