With 2 confirmed cases in the U.S., coronavirus raises fears

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Dr. Frank Rhame, Allina health infectious diseases specialist.

[Faribault Daily News, January 24, 2020] Two suspected cases of the deadly illness coronavirus have been reported in Minnesota, sparking fears that a now-global epidemic which started in China could be close to hitting home.

In the wake of rising concerns over the virus, the Minnesota Department of Health issued an alert earlier this week urging care providers to alert authorities about any patients with respiratory symptoms or fevers who recently traveled in Wuhan, China. In Minnesota, two suspected cases of the virus were being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing.

Currently, there is no treatment for the virus, although effective tests exist to determine whether a person is infected. Dr. Frank Rhame, an infectious diseases specialist with Allina Health, which operates District One and Owatonna hospitals, said that it’s likely that more information is needed.

“It’s not an immediate risk, but it is unprecedented and scary,” he said. "It’ll take awhile before it gets to Faribault, but it seems to be getting around.”

Read the full story online at www.southernminn.com.

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