After originating in China late last year, the coronavirus has spread globally and now in Texas. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak a pandemic.
The first case of the virus in the United States was reported in January 2020.
Here’s what we know so far, but do check back for updates.
Coronavirus in Texas
Currently, there are 19 reported cases in Texas. 13 of those cases were reported in the Houston area. Another case was reported in Gregg County in East Texas.
On March 11, city and county officials canceled the remainder of the Houston rodeo after a case was announced in Montgomery County.
A man in North Texas is believed to be the first person in the state to have contracted COVID-19 domestically. On March 10, officials announced the man’s wife and toddler also contracted the virus as well as another man in nearby Dallas County. Tarrant County reported its first “presumptive positive” case of the coronavirus the same day.
The University of Texas at Austin announced that it will extend spring break by an additional week and institute polices designed to limit the spread of coronavirus. It is also banning fans from home athletic events until March 22.
Rice University in Houston canceled classes for the week after an employee tested positive for the virus.
In Central Texas, multiple people are being monitored for coronavirus and isolated, including 10 at Texas State University, and a student at Westlake High School.
Concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus led Austin officials to order the cancellation of the SXSW festival.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced in early March that Austin and several cities in Texas are capable of testing for the coronavirus.
A San Antonio military base is serving as a quarantine site for 144 passengers from the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship Diamond Princess. Another group of passengers on the Grand Diamond Princess cruise ship will also be quarantined at the base.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: How Texas is responding to coronavirus
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Coronavirus in the U.S. continues to spread
As of Wednesday morning, confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000 across more than 30 states and D.C, and the U.S. death toll rose to 29 while the worldwide total topped 4,000 as of Tuesday.
Nationwide: Latest updates as of Tuesday, March 10
The U.S. Department of State on Sunday advised U.S. citizens against traveling by cruise ship as cases of coronavirus continue to be diagnosed throughout the world.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to monitor the coronavirus outbreak and advise travelers from nonessential travel to some countries.
Latest travel warnings:
– From the CDC
– From the U.S. Dept. of State
Coronavirus map: These states have reported cases of COVID-19
Coronavirus worldwide: By the numbers
The global death toll surpassed 4,000 on Monday night, fueled by a rising number of fatalities in Italy (463), Iran (237) and South Korea (54), according to a Johns Hopkins University data dashboard.
The total of confirmed cases exceeds 119,000, with more than 80,900 in mainland China, where the virus has killed about 3,160 people.
As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, the latest numbers of coronavirus (including presumptive cases) are as follows:
Global total confirmed: 119,357
Global total deaths: 4,290
US total confirmed: 1,039
US total deaths: 29
US total recovered: 8
How do you get coronavirus?
Like the common cold and the flu, coronavirus spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets, according to the CDC.
Coronavirus is spreading rapidly from person to person, and scientists are still learning more about how coronavirus spreads.
There’s no evidence that the virus can be transmitted through food, according to the CDC.
It is, however, possible that a person can get the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own face. There is likely a very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of coronavirus
The most common symptoms resemble the flu and include fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some people also develop aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people don’t have any symptoms at all.
About 1 in 6 people become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing, according to the World Health Organization. If you experience fever, cough and shortness of breath, call your doctor.
QUICK LINKS:
Travel update: What U.S. airlines are doing in response to coronavirus outbreak
These cleaners kill coronavirus: Lysol, Clorox, Purell products make EPA’s disinfectants list
Scary for everybody’: This is what it’s like in Seattle and King County
Coronavirus myths, debunked: A cattle vaccine, bioweapons and a $3,000 test
No, you don’t need a facemask to prepare for coronavirus
But do take typical flu-season precautions:
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick
– Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth
– Cover your cough
– Stay home when sick
– Clean household objects and surfaces
– Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
You don’t need a face mask unless you have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. Buying up masks takes away precious materials from the health workers who need them most.
Contributing: Grace Pateras, USA TODAY Network; John Bacon, USA TODAY, Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
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