How worrisome is the new coronavirus? SLO County’s health officer has answers

While some of our residents are tuning out news of the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak (2019 nCoV) and wondering what all the fuss is about, others are quite anxious that they are going to become a victim to the latest biological threat. From where I sit, both perspectives deserve a note of caution.

First, I can assure you that the county Public Health Department is closely monitoring the illness. We are in close contact with state and federal health agencies and believe the risk to the general public in SLO County is currently low.

Second, while there are no cases of this new pathogen in SLO County, the Public Health Department stands ready to handle any potential cases.

And third, you’re more likely to get sick from the flu in our community than the novel coronavirus outbreak (more on why later). I urge residents to take precautions to avoid getting sick this flu season.

With any new germ, it is appropriate to take notice and try to learn how it might affect you or your loved ones. The challenge with a new communicable disease, especially early on, is that it takes health care providers and public health experts time to help make such a determination.

Two major components help us determine how concerning a new disease may be.

First: How deadly is this new disease?

Second: How easy is it to catch this disease?

With some new illnesses, both components may initially look quite scary. That’s because initial reports often capture the most serious cases. In other words, people who are mildly ill may not seek health care attention and therefore don’t get tested or counted. So, the death rate and level of infectiousness may seem worse than they are. Also, the higher the fatality rate the more likely the disease will cause health issues that require hospitalization. No one wants those outcomes either.

Currently, it appears that the 2019-nCoV illness is neither particularly deadly (perhaps akin to the flu), nor can each case spread to many others, especially if not living in crowded conditions. This virus even seems to have flu-like symptoms.

Nevertheless, it is a new virus, with no vaccine and no specific antiviral treatment currently available, and the end of the outbreak is not foreseeable. Thus, health officials are carefully monitoring the illness as cases are identified and isolated to prevent further spread.

With any outbreak, the response should be proportional to the nature of the pathogen. At this point, information on the novel coronavirus outbreak is evolving. We know there are no cases in SLO County currently. However, there are cases of other types of coronavirus illnesses and even more cases of the flu in our county. Because the symptoms may be similar to the flu, it’s important for the public to avoid getting the flu to avoid any confusion with the 2019-nCoV illness.

Please be assured that your county Public Health Department is keenly tuned in daily, ready to answer your specific questions and, most importantly, ready to respond with surveillance, testing, isolation and quarantine, if need be. We will continue reporting public health information as the situation unfolds.

In the meantime, please be prepared to heed the following recommendations:

• Stay tuned in and informed: follow the CDC and the County Public Health information channels (on social media and on our website, www.slocounty.ca.gov).
• Practice good infection control through handwashing; avoidance of touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; covering coughs and sneezes; staying home when you are sick; and keeping a distance of six feet from people who appear ill.
• And get a flu shot, if you haven’t already, to stay healthy this season and avoid confusion with the 2019-nCoV illness.

Dr. Penny Borenstein is San Luis Obispo County’s health officer.