Possible coronavirus in Lawrence, Kansas. Health officials investigating
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is investigating a Douglas County resident for possible exposure to the novel coronavirus.
The unidentified patient returned to the United States within the last two weeks after traveling from Wuhan City, China, where the virus broke out in December, state health officials said.
The patient is at LMH Health (formerly Lawrence Memorial Hospital), hospital spokeswoman Amy Nothrop confirmed Tuesday.
The patient is not severely ill but is in isolation at the hospital as a precaution, said a statement from Lee Norman, secretary of the state health department.
The person became symptomatic in recent days and sought health care on Monday, the statement said.
The department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LMH Health and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department to identify and talk to anyone who might have come into contact with the patient.
Specimens were sent to the CDC on Tuesday, and health officials expect results later this week. If the case is confirmed, health officials will begin monitoring anyone exposed for fever and respiratory symptoms, the health department said.
Health officials emphasized that this is not a confirmed case of the virus, but wanted to get the word out so the public can be educated about the new virus. They said they cannot share specific details to protect the individual’s privacy.
“Our initial role was one of surveillance — as the outbreak became apparent, we placed health alerts throughout the hospital and clinics regarding potential exposure in an effort to increase awareness of possible symptoms among travelers from China,” LMH president and CEO Russ Johnson said in a statement posted on the hospital’s website.
“Now, our efforts are focused on caring for this patient as we await test results.”
It was not clear whether the patient is a student at the University of Kansas. University officials did not respond to telephone and email requests for comment.
KU has 2,031 international students on its Lawrence and Edwards campuses. Of those, 737 are from China.
Missouri health officials say they have not identified any cases of the virus.
According to the Kansas health department’s statement, this version of the coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms — which include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing — are thought to appear within two days to two weeks after being exposed, said health officials.
At this point, the people at risk for getting the virus are those who have traveled to Wuhan City, in China’s Hubei Province, or those who have come into close contact with an infected patient, Kansas health officials said.
The Kansas health department asked that anyone who has recently traveled there and has developed symptoms within two weeks of that trip, or anyone who might have come in contact with an exposed person, to stay home and contact a healthcare provider.
You can also call the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline, 877-427-7317.
The Star’s Mará Rose Williams contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 1:52 PM.
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