State health department to provide weekly updates on coronavirus situation in Nevada

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health has announced that it will begin posting statewide updates on the COVID-19 situation in Nevada on a weekly basis.

Updates can be found on the DPBH website and will include the number of persons under investigation (PUI), individuals under public health supervision (also known as persons under monitoring or “PUM”), and confirmed cases for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The first update on statewide totals is below, and future updates will be posted every Thursday. At the time of this release, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nevada.

Starting March 12, updates will be posted every Thursday by 5 p.m. at http://dpbh.nv.gov/coronavirus

COVID-19 Situation in Nevada
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with local health districts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor and prepare for the developing outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and has now been identified in locations internationally and in the United States. On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization named the disease coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

According to the CDC, more cases of COVID-19 are likely to be identified in the coming days, and it is likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur. For most of the American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to the virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. The CDC regularly updates the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S.

All data are provisional and subject to change as we continue our investigation.

For additional information on COVID-19 in the United States, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Most patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms can include:
— Fever
— Cough
— Shortness of breath

At this time, the CDC believes that symptoms of COVID‑19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

What should I do if I have symptoms?
Call your health care provider to identify the safest way to receive care. Let them know if you have traveled to an affected area within the last 14 days or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.

Should I be tested for COVID-19?
Call your health care professional if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 (e.g., China, Iran, Italy, Japan, or South Korea). Your health care professional will work with the local health district, DHHS and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19, according to the most current CDC guidelines.

What is the treatment for COVID-19?
There are no medications specifically approved for COVID-19. Most people with illnesses due to common coronavirus infections recover on their own by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medications. For patients who are more severely ill, medical care or hospitalization may be required. The medical community is continuing to learn more about COVID-19, and treatment may change over time.

What is a PUI (Person Under Investigation)?
A PUI an individual with COVID-19 symptoms, but not necessarily the virus, who may have been exposed through close contact with a confirmed case, recent travel to an affected region, or who has severe respiratory illness requiring hospitalization with no more likely diagnosis and no source of exposure has been identified. PUI determinations are made in accordance with CDC guidelines.

What is a PUM (Person Under Monitoring), otherwise known as an Individual under Public Health Supervision?
A PUM is an individual who does not have COVID-19 symptoms but who may have been exposed through close contact with a confirmed case or from recent travel to an affected region. PUM determinations are made in accordance with CDC guidelines.

How can I protect myself and my family?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID‑19. The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu.

— Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

— If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

— Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Serious respiratory illnesses are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.

— Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

— Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

— Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.