First positive coronavirus case confirmed in R.I.

[JudyM]

Source: Providence Journal

The Rhode Island Department of Health has announced the state’s first “presumptive positive” case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The person is in their 40s and had traveled to Italy in mid-February, the department says. The news release does not reveal the person’s gender or hometown.It says that the person has had “limited travel” in Rhode Island since returning from Italy, and that the person has not gone back to work since returning to the country.

Outreach has begun to people who were in direct contact with the person, the Health Department says, and there are “extensive efforts underway to ensure that they undergo a period of 14 days of self-monitoring for symptoms at home with public health supervision (quarantine). As long as anyone exposed to the individual does not have symptoms outside of their home setting, the virus cannot spread to other people in the community.”
...
The department says it is coordinating closely with the hospital where this person is currently being treated -- which it does not reveal -- and that infection control protocols are being followed.

“The Rhode Island Department of Health has been preparing for weeks to ensure that we have a structure in place to, to the best of our ability, limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. We fully anticipated having a first case of COVID-19,” said Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott said in the news release. “We are not seeing widespread community transmission in Rhode Island, and the general level of risk for Rhode Islanders is still low. However, everyone in Rhode Island has a role to play in helping us prevent the spread of viruses, just like the flu. It is very important that people wash their hands regularly, cover their coughs and sneezes, and stay home if they are sick.”

Read more: https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200301/first-positive-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-ri

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Hoping that all hospitals are strenuously reinforcing infection protocols. Vulnerable seniors, etc in hospitals.

Wondering how many folks are already starting to limit their travel within the US...

[Sherman A1]

1. I know that we were planning a trip to Ireland this year, but will likely not go

and traveling inside the US is looking less and less appealing.

[FailureToCommunicate]

2. May sound silly, but we skipped church this morning. Our church does lots of hand

Last edited Sun Mar 1, 2020, 04:12 PM - Edit history (1)

holding, hugging and other germ happy stuff (coffee hour, etc)

Plus, it's a very international travel-prone bunch of folks.

And lastly, I just repaired the HVAC air-handler in the sanctuary (blows air around). Oops!

[NutmegYankee]

5. The peace of Christ be with you.

And a virus too!

[iluvtennis]

3. Have trip to Italy planned for May to visist my daughter who's in school there -may have to postpone

So happy I bought the travelrs insurance for the flight.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Any symptom protocalls been issued?

I mean, how are they distinguishing it from other flu strains, is it a temperature or pain or aches threshold. Potential patients just call their doctor? ER? I suppose if they said such they'd get hypochondriacs everywhere. But I ask because the initial stage seems so openly contagious somewhere along the line.

[JudyM]

6. Here's something from CDC

Looks like they’re saying to take precautions etc when having any respiratory issues, just in case.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preparing-individuals-communities.html

[bucolic_frolic]

7. Thanks so much!

yes it's basically self-monitoring, washing hands, covering coughs, isolating at home when sick or in doubt. Sounds like calling a doctor, and then likely wearing a mask when in transit to the medical facility. Would be effective if followed well by the public, if they knew about it.

[mecherosegarden]

8. I have been sick since the end of December

I was in Italy at the end of December. I remember when I went to pick up my luggage , that there was a flight from China that had just landed at the same time as mine. Almost all of the passengers were wearing masks. I came home January 2nd and ever since I have been dealing with this awful dry cough,chest pain when I take deep breath, chills, and headaches. After complaining to the Dr. that the cough was still lingering ( and the chills), he prescribed Z-Pac. I am grateful that the cough is almost gone. The problem is because where I live and work, Valley Fever as well as mold could be causing my symptoms. Waiting for the results of the blood test. I know I am not contagious because none of my co-workers have gotten sick. But if I bought something with me from that trip, I did not know,

[SergeStorms]

10. I'm glad you've been tested.

Let us know about your results. I sincerely hope it's not something exotic. I have problems with mold myself, and my reactions can mimic other respiratory illnesses. Best of luck to you, and I hope you're feeling in tip-top shape again very soon!

[mecherosegarden]

11. Thank you!

I just need to stop coughing!

[SergeStorms]

13. Have you been prescribed.....

any codeine containing cough medicine? Maybe you should ask your Doctor what he/she thinks. It can break the cough reaction chain. Constant coughing really takes a lot out of you. I used to get migraine headaches from the constant coughing before I found out the cause. Again, good luck to you, and get well quickly. It'll really help your outlook on life.

[SergeStorms]

9. From sea to shining sea....

COVID-19 is introducing itself to the United States. I particularly hope Mr. COVID-19 pays a visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in one Oval Office area.

[Totally Tunsie]

12. And now there are two.

Both related to the same school trip to Italy.

[JudyM]

14. Crap!

[Totally Tunsie]

15. REVISED. The third case originally reported for RI actually lives in MA and

Last edited Wed Mar 4, 2020, 09:34 PM - Edit history (1)

is being counted in their numbers. This person was a participant in the same European trip as the two other RI patients.

So, officially RI is back to 2.

[JudyM]

16. Yeah, me too.

Where are you?

My mother is there. And she’s high risk because of her age.

[RhodeIslandOne]

17. My parents are in their mid-80's

Gonna make sure they stay home until their next appointments.

Of course I could catch it too.

[JudyM]

18. Right, and we don't know if we even have it. The incubation period is so long.

I’m buying staples so she’s set for 6 months without anyone handling anything she needs. And she started taking some stuff to build up her immune system, who knows if that’ll work.