“Right now, we are at very low risk in the United States. We are at very low risk in Ohio,” Patterson said. “We currently have no confirmed cases in Ohio.”
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As of Feb. 3, there are only 11 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, a statement from the CCCHD said. Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that developed in Wuhan and Hubei, China in December, the statement said.
Anna Jean Petroff, an epidemiologist with the CCCHD, said the chance of contracting coronavirus is very slim — unlike catching seasonal flu.
“You have a way better chance of contracting seasonal influenza than corona,” Petroff said.
Petroff said the county is in the middle of flu season. According to Ohio Department of Health, there have been 86 flu-related hospitalizations in Clark County as of Jan. 31.
Petroff said residents should consider focusing more on stopping the spread of the flu, as opposed to worrying about the spread of coronavirus.
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Everything that residents can do to prevent coronavirus —like washing your hands and covering your cough — can also be used to prevent the spread of the flu, Petroff said.
“It’s important to remember little things like, if you are sick, stay home. If the kids are sick, keep them at home” Petroff said.
Patterson said he does not expect to see cases of coronavirus in Clark County anytime soon.
“We don’t have any persons in Clark County under investigation for the coronavirus right now, but we do have influenza that we are seeing every day,” Patterson said. “I’m not downplaying the coronavirus. It’s a major thing. But influenza is the thing that is causing issues right now. If I’m a parent, that is what I’m worried about.”
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