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Local hospitals screening patients for coronavirus, but no suspected cases

Three patients walked into University Hospitals' emergency room with concerns over deadly virus.

CLEVELAND — Local hospitals are beginning to screen patients for the coronavirus, which has now killed 106 people in China, and infected more than 4,500 people. The new numbers were released late Monday night, as China reported more deaths from the new viral disease, and the Centers for Disease Control warned that Americans should avoid all non-essential trips to that country.

Meanwhile in Northeast Ohio, University Hospitals confirms that three patients wearing surgical masks walked into the emergency room at the Cleveland campus over the weekend, with concerns that they might have contracted the coronavirus. They underwent immediate screening, and based on their travel information, and that of those they had been in recent contact with, they were ruled out for coronavirus risk.

"If we get any history that we're concerned about within that triage, we'll try to get them into a room as soon as possible, along with all the people that have come with them," said Dr. Claudia Hoyen, infectious disease specialist at University Hospitals.

Hoyen said the hospital follows CDC guidelines, which means that suspected patients are immediately whisked away into an isolation room with negative pressure, in which air that is drawn inside the room is prevented from flowing back out to contaminate the rest of the hospital. The inside air is then ventilated outside.

Healthcare workers also follow the same protocols like potential cases of measles, which is highly contagious. Staff in contact with patients wear full gowns, medical N95 respirator masks, which are rated for infection control; along with eye protection and gloves.

While Hoyen said she and the staff are ready to handle a potential coronavirus case, they emphasize that the risk is very low. Currently there are only 5 confirmed cases in the U.S., however, the CDC said 110 people are undergoing testing in 26 states.

Instead, doctors want to remind people that the influenza virus is much more of a danger to public health in Northeast Ohio. The CDC said the flu has killed 54 children in the U.S. so far this season, including one in Cuyahoga county.

"So if people can do their part and get the flu shot, it's more protection for themselves and for their families," said Hoyen.

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