SOUTH BEND — As fears grow worldwide over the Coronavirus, some international airlines are taking early precautions.

Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines have suspended flights to China and Manila until at least February 9th. At least 3 U.S. airlines have suspended flights to China.

Today, a flight carrying about 200 American evacuees landed at a U.S. Military base in Southern California after leaving China — where the deadly Coronavirus started. The flight stopped in Anchorage — to refuel and for health screenings. Passengers include U.S. diplomats and their families.

And it’s not just California–20 airports in the United States are now screening for coronavirus in passengers coming from China. O’Hare in Chicago is on that list — but South Bend and Indianapolis are not.

This all comes after more than 100 deaths and 1 million people in quarantine.

One person in Porter County Indiana is in isolation while awaiting test results to see if they have the virus or not. It’s one of 92 cases in the nation pending test results.

The CDC is the centralized testing location for samples from anyone suspected of carrying the coronavirus.

Local health officials say with only 5 confirmed cases in the United States, the risk for people here is relatively low.

“I think it’s important to be prepared but not be hysterical about it,” said Dr. Mark Fox, the interim health officer at the St. Joseph County Board of Health.

Fox said people in this area have a greater chance of getting seriously ill from the flu than coronavirus right now. “Having said that, our understanding of risk from the coronavirus is evolving day to day,” Fox added.

The virus originated from the Wuhan region of China, leaving thousands sick and more than 100 dead overseas.

Symptoms include coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing, similar to those of the flu or respiratory infections.

“So there’s nothing specific that distinguishes it, so the thing that distinguishes how we think about it right now is the exposure risk based on travel history,” Fox said.

People at risk are those who have traveled to China or have been exposed to people who are being tested for the virus right now, which is still a very low number of people in the United States right now.

The health department is using extra precaution and working with places like Notre Dame because several students have just gotten back from traveling across the world over winter break.

The virus is transmitted from people breathing near each other and Fox says like with the flu, if you suspect you’re sick and go to the doctor’s office you should cover up your mouth with a mask.

The virus can also survive on surfaces for a few hours, but that’s easily mitigated by using any standard disinfectant. Frequently washing hands helps too.

“All the precautions from cold and flu season apply equally as well to coronavirus as to influenza,” Fox said.

He also wants to remind people it’s not too late to get your flu shots, as flu season goes through at least March.

Source: WSBT