2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

If you are a health professional evaluating a patient for suspected 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health immediately at 651-201-5414.

About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

• Health officials are currently investigating an outbreak of a 2019 novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It has now spread to multiple countries, including the United States.

o No cases have been confirmed in Minnesota at this time.

• 2019-nCoV is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. 2019-nCoV is not the same coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. However, it is in the same family of viruses.

• Because this is a new virus, there are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how well it is transmitted between people, and other features of the virus. More information will be provided when it is available.

• Learn more about 2019-nCoV on the CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus website.

What Minnesotans can do

• Anyone who recently traveled to Wuhan, China, who experiences fever, cough, or other acute illness should contact a health care provider as soon as possible and mention your recent travel. Please call ahead and inform the health care provider about your travel history.

• Review CDC's Travel Health Notices if you are traveling to China.

• Take steps to avoid spreading germs from respiratory diseases by:

o Covering your cough.

o Staying home if you are sick.

o Washing your hands.

What MDH is doing

• Health officials around the world are monitoring the situation carefully and working hard to learn more about the virus.

• We are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as other local and national partners to share information.

• We have sent information to health care providers around the state with current recommendations for screening and testing for 2019-nCoV.

• We are implementing plans to prepare for the possibility that we will see a case(s) of 2019-nCoV in Minnesota.

• This is an evolving situation, so information and recommendations are likely to change. We will continue to learn more in the coming days and share new information as it is available.

More Information for Health Professionals

• CDC: Information For Healthcare Professionals

Interim guidance from CDC for health care professionals on human infections with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html