The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is providing this update on the 2019 novel (new) coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, to address community interest on the potential local impact of the outbreak. There has been one confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus case in Los Angeles County, as well as one in Orange County. Both individuals traveled to Wuhan, China. There are currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pasadena.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) states that the immediate health risk to the general public is LOW. The PPHD Community Health Services Division is actively working to answer questions from the community and investigate possible cases of coronavirus within our jurisdiction, as they do with many communicable diseases. The PPHD is working in partnership with CDPH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other local public health jurisdictions to provide accurate information to health care providers and the public, to reduce the risk of spread, and to provide care to those who are ill.
The PPHD encourages community members to take everyday precautions against communicable illness:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home and away from others when you are sick.
- Be sure to get your influenza vaccine to protect yourself from the flu.
For the latest news on the coronavirus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
At this time, no special precautions are required, and people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness. Pasadena residents, students, workers, and visitors should continue to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene as this is the height of flu season. If you have not received your flu shot, please visit the PPHD for a free shot, or your health care provider to protect yourself from influenza. Individuals traveling from or to China can find helpful information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
More information about the novel coronavirus can be found at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/.