Though there are currently no confirmed cases of the 2019 coronavirus from an outbreak originating in Wuhan City, China, in Connecticut, the state’s Department of Public Health on Friday released new guidelines to all schools and health departments to follow in order to avoid potential spread of the disease.

DPH Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell this week took the step of adding coronavirus to the list of reportable diseases, requiring all physicians in Connecticut to report new cases or patients under investigation to DPH.

This will help with active disease monitoring and surveillance, as well as coordination nationally with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DPH said. The State Public Health Lab in Rocky Hill also is slated to receive a kit from CDC to be able to test for coronavirus locally. The first kit, once prepared and tested, will be able to test results from 800 people for coronavirus.

“Even though we currently have no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Connecticut and no patients under investigation, this new virus is a cause for concern,” Coleman-Mitchell said. “We are doing everything we can to communicate new guidance from our federal partners to local schools and health care providers for how to assess and manage risk of anyone possibly been exposed to coronavirus."

"Though the current risk of coronavirus in our state remains low, we will keep everybody informed every step of the way,” she said.

The DPH said in a news release that symptoms of the novel coronavirus may include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of being unwell.

While there is currently no vaccine, everyday preventative actions can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses, including: washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; staying home when you are sick; covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash; and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern, or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to such areas, should call their health care provider before presenting for treatment.

Travelers who spent time in mainland China within 14 days before arriving in the United States are not landing at Connecticut's Bradley International Airport but are being diverted to land at one of 11 airports in the U.S. designated to receive such travelers. In the airport, people are being asked questions about their travel and whether they have been in contact with anyone with the coronavirus. They also have their temperature taken and are asked about their health. Travelers who have been in Hubei Province, China, or are sick are referred for medical evaluation and are not allowed to continue to their final destinations.

CDC has informed the state DPH of several Connecticut residents who are not showing any symptoms of the virus but who have recently returned from traveling to China and are now in a 14-day period of self-monitoring for signs of coronavirus. This includes daily health and temperature checks and checking in with health care providers, while staying at home and away from work or large gatherings of people other than to purchase groceries or other essential items.

People with a travel history to China and no symptoms can return to work or school after the 14-day self-monitoring period is complete. There is no clearance process. People without symptoms are not tested for the virus.

The state DPH has started weekly briefing calls with local health departments and with the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. It also has participated in a briefing conference call with all acute care hospitals in Connecticut.

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses common in both humans and animals, and usually cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses. The source of the 2019 coronavirus is suspected to be animals sold at an open-air market in Wuhan, China; it is possibly a previously unrecognized bat coronavirus. It appears to cause a more severe illness progressing to pneumonia.

Connecticut is at the height of respiratory virus season, the DPH said in a news release, and influenza activity in Connecticut is widespread.

A total of 1,366 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported since the beginning of the 2019-20 season. Nine new influenza-associated deaths were reported this week, including one pediatric death, resulting in a total of 32 influenza-associated deaths reported since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.

The most recent guidance from the CDC about the outbreak of the coronavirus is available at bit.ly/CRNV2019.