February 04, 2020

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): Update 6 [First Confirmed Case in L.A. County]

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed its first case of 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Los Angeles County, one of six cases documented in all of California, but the overall risk to people in the U.S. remains extremely low.

By comparison, NPR recently reported that the number of people infected with the coronavirus is dwarfed by those affected by seasonal flu. As a result, while the flu shot won’t protect against coronavirus, experts are still recommending that people get vaccinated against influenza if they haven’t yet, since the likelihood of getting the flu in the U.S. is far higher than contracting coronavirus. And, if someone has been exposed to coronavirus, it will be easier for a medical provider to detect abnormal symptoms if they can rule out common viruses like the cold and flu.

Public health officials also recommend that people remain vigilant of their surroundings, take daily preventative actions to stop the spread of germs (wash their hands, stay home when they are sick, cover their cough or sneeze, etc.), and to take overall responsibility for their personal health and hygiene.

At the same time, we remind you to remain reliably informed. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the coronavirus outbreak has been accompanied by an “infodemic”—an epidemic of information, including harmful rumors. WHO is providing evidence-based information and advice on its website and social media channels to respond to myths and rumors. In addition to Public Health and WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remains our primary source of accurate and timely information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the office of Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@artcenter.edu.