UW Health: Expands travel history questions in response to 2019 Novel Coronavirus in China

CONTACT:  Emily Kumlien

(608) 265-8199

(608) 516-9154

ekumlien@uwhealth.org

MADISON- Based on updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, UW Health is expanding their travel history questions for possible exposure to Novel 2019 Coronavirus.

 Patient who come to the emergency departments and urgent care settings will be ask about any recent travel to mainland China. Initially patients were just asked about recent travel to Wuhan China.  

UW Health has not identified any cases of Coronavirus at this time.

The hospital has taken precautions and safety measures for patients, visitors and family. Any patient suspected to have contracted the Coronavirus would be immediately masked and isolated in a private exam room. UW Health has any patient with fever and acute respiratory symptoms wear a mask as recommended in infection prevention guidelines.

UW Health is working closely with state and federal officials.

The cause of an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China was recently identified as a new type of Coronavirus. There are more than 17,000 confirmed case of Coronavirus in China. There are 11 confirmed cased in the United States.  The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency last week.

The main symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.