b'INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDE| According to CDC officials, the U.S.the future. AvailabilityCorps Air Station Miramar in Food & Drug Administration (FDA) hasof this test is a startingSan Diego, CA; Lackland Air signed an emergency use authorizationplace for greater com- Force Base in San Antonio, for a CDC-developed laboratory test kitmercial availability ofTX; and Eppley Airfield that can detect the novel coronavirus anddiagnostic testing forin Omaha, NB)are being shipments of the kits to some 400 select,[the virus]. coordinated along with qualified U.S. and international laborato- The availability ofthe help of the CDC to ries has begun. Distribution of these teststhese tests will nowassess the health of pas-is expected to help improve the globalenable state officials tosengers who had traveled capacity for detection and response. Eachtest, confirm, and com- from the U.S. lab receiving the kit is required to performmunicate directly with theThe passengers will be international compliance verification priorpublic about confirmed casesscreened, monitored, and evalu-to reporting out, said NancyMessonnier,and will reflect the most up-to- ated by medical and public health per-MD, director of the Center for the Nationaldate statistical information.The U.S. pub- sonnel including before takeoff and during Center for Immunization and Respiratorylic health system relies heavily on the workthe flight, Messonnier said.Medical care Diseases.This process is expected to take aof state, local, and territorial health depart- will be readily available at the first onset few days.ments who are on the front lines of outbreakof symptoms, if needed.Passengers will Each test kit can perform 700-800responses, Messonnier said.Their abilitybe issued quarantine orders upon arrival patient samples [and] that means that by theto detect and confirm this virus is critical. at their designated locations to protect the start of [the week of Feb. 10], we expect thereThe number of confirmed cases istravelers, their families, and their commu-to be much enhanced capacity for laboratoryexpected to increase, notably because gov- nities.The quarantine period will begin the testing closer to our patients, she contin- ernment-chartered evacuation flights fromday the flight leaves Wuhan and will con-ued.Additional test kits are being producedWuhan to the United States (Travis Airtinue for 14 days.We do not believe these and will be made available for ordering inForce Base in Sacramento, CA; Marinepeople pose a threat to the communities where they are being housed, as we are tak-ing measures to minimize any contact. The measures we are taking may not catch every Flu Killing Many More Peoplesingle traveler returning with novel corona-virus given the nature of this virus and how Than The Coronavirus it is spreading, but if we can catch the major-ity of them, that will slow the entry of this virus into the United States.A mid the focus and fears of the novelThe test kits utilize a technology that coronavirus, millions of Americanscan provide results in four hours from ini-are being infected with influenza.tial sample processing to result. Our goal According to the Centers for Disease Controlis early detection of new cases and to pre-and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 19 mil- ventfurtherspread ofthe coronavirus, said lion Americans have been infected with theRobert R. Redfield, MD, the CDCs direc-flu this season, 180,000 patients have beentor. Distribution of these diagnostic tests hospitalized because of the illness, and anto state laboratories, U.S. government part-estimated 10,000 deaths across the U.S.,ners and more broadly to the global public including 68 children, have occurred. Thehealth community will accelerate efforts to 2019-2020 flu season may become one ofconfront this evolving globalpublic health the worst in several years, the CDC reports.challenge. We understand that this [coronavirus] may be concerning, but based on what we knowWHAT CAN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS DO?now, we still believe the immediate risk to the American public is low, said RobertRecommendations from the CDC, in part, R. Redfield, MD, CDC director, in a prepared statement.include:Healthcare providers should practice hand hygiene and other infection control1. Minimize chances for exposures bymeasures to prevent the flu from spreading as well.ensuring facility policies and practices are in place before patient arrival, upon arrival, and throughout the duration 8 INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDE|2020| www.elitecme.com'