As the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) continues to develop, we have compiled the following information including insight from Chief Clinical Officer, Hank Drummond, to keep healthcare professionals in the know. 

<p><img src="/sites/cch/image/cch-hank-drummond-headshot.jpg" align="right" style="margin: 8px 8px 8px 8px;" /> 
																										  
<p>The U.S. government and public health partners are implementing aggressive measures to slow and contain transmission of <a href="https://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/blogs/2019-novel-coronavirus" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> in the United States. Hank Drummond, Chief Clinical Officer at Cross Country Healthcare, continues to stay abreast of the latest developments pertaining to the virus. "In our ongoing efforts to keep all our staff, clients, vendors and other constituents fully informed, here is the very latest update on COVID-19." </p>
	
	<h2>Coronavirus Impact on the U.S. </h2>
	
<p> Fourteen cases have been diagnosed in the U.S., in addition to 43 cases among repatriated persons from high-risk settings, for a current total of 57 cases within the U.S. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/americans-should-prepare-coronavirus-spread-u-s-cdc-says-n1142556" target="_blank">Top public health officials said Tuesday</a> that Americans should prepare for the spread of the coronavirus in communities across the country. In fact, San Francisco has declared a state of emergency to encourage all to begin the preparations for the spread of this virus and is a good reminder for each of us to consider our own family preparation. </p> 
	
<p> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/americans-should-prepare-coronavirus-spread-u-s-cdc-says-n1142556" target="_blank">According to Dr. Nancy Messonnier</a>, the head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "it's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in the country will have severe illness." </p> 
	
<p> "Everyone should be considering preparedness plans and get ready for the possibility of disruptions to our daily lives if the virus were to spread in the U.S.," said Drummond. "This could include school closures, working from home and delaying elective medical procedures. Further, families should begin to consider how prepared they are for a week or two at home without traveling for food, medicine or entertainment."

	<h2>Ongoing Measures to Contain the Virus in the U.S.</h2> 
	
<p> Thus far, measures to contain the virus in the U.S. have involved restricting travel to and from China – the center of the outbreak – and isolating identified cases. However, according to Drummond, "there is evidence that the virus is spreading to countries outside the region, such as Iran and Italy, and that has elevated concern among the CDC of potential spread within the U.S. In fact, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/coronavirus-china-live-updates/2020/02/26/f889693a-580e-11ea-9000-f3cffee23036_story.html" target="_blank">374 cases have been reported in Italy and nearly 100 in Iran</a>."</p> 
	
<p> The good news is China's aggressive measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus appear to be working, which indicates the virus can be contained. "They key to preventing the spread of the virus is quick diagnosis," says Drummond. There are several measures being undertaken by the government and CDC in support of diagnosis and containment, including:</p> 
	
<ul>
	<li><strong>Test Kits.</strong> The CDC has developed a new laboratory test kit for use in testing patient specimens for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. The test kit is intended for use with upper and lower respiratory specimens collected from persons who meet CDC criteria for COVID-19 testing. These kits will be sent to qualified laboratories, but will not be available in U.S. hospitals or other primary care settings. However, the test kits are bolstering global laboratory capacity for detecting and diagnosing the virus.</li>

	<li><strong>Government Aid.</strong> The Trump administration <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/americans-should-prepare-coronavirus-spread-u-s-cdc-says-n1142556">asked Congress this week for $2.5 billion</a> to combat and contain the spread of coronavirus. The money would, in part, go toward expanding public health surveillance systems to pick up any unusual respiratory illnesses, as well as testing for the new coronavirus. Much of it would also go toward development of a coronavirus vaccine, for which clinical trials have already begun. </li>
</ul>
	
	<h2>Continued Vigilance. </h2>
	
<p>For health care providers and facilities, preparation needs to continue by focusing on resources that would be most vital in treating patients affected by the virus, including isolated hospital beds, ventilators to help people breathe and an adequate supply of protective equipment for health care workings such as, gowns, masks and gloves. 
"It is all of our responsibilities to stay informed of the most recent updates related to this virus," says Drummond. "We remind our employees and clients that we have a Clinical Hotline available to answer any questions related to this topic, and as always, our Clinical Team Members can be reached at 800-998-5058."</p>



Coronavirus Update: Recent Impacts on the U.S.