So far Louisiana has been spared of any confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as of Thursday, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Louisiana Office of Public Health, and the Calcasieu Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness continue to monitor the situation.

Louisiana Department of Health notes it is a myth that coronaviruses are new. In fact they were first identified back in the 1960s, but the new branch only sprouted recently.

It is also a myth the virus is the top public health threat in Louisiana. In fact you are much more likely to get the flu than COVID-19, according to DOH.

The CDC, as well as the Office of Public Health, have been proactively preparing for the introduction of this virus since it was first identified in China earlier this year.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people such as has been seen in the recent outbreaks of MERS and SARS.

Currently, the Louisiana Department of Health is working with health care providers to promptly identify any suspected cases.

The department notes the symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath/difficulty of breathing. It spreads through respiratory droplets produced when coughing and sneezing; close personal contact and touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Anyone who recently traveled to China, who experiences the symptoms, should contact a health care provider as soon as possible and mention your recent travel.

To take steps to avoid spreading germs, including any respiratory disease, the DOH recommends: get a flu vaccine and take flu antivirals if prescribed; cover your cough; stay home when you’re sick; and wash your hands.

You can find much more information about coronavirus on the CDC website, cdc.gov; and the Louisiana Department of Health website, ldh.la.gov.coronavirus COVID19