2 in state test negative for coronavirus

The two individuals in Oklahoma under investigation for coronavirus tested negative, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced Friday morning.

The Health Department said it has received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the two people under investigation in Oklahoma tested negative for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, and has resulted in cases detected in several countries, including six lab-confirmed cases in the United States.

Health Commissioner Gary Cox said the risk to the general public is low, but the agency will continue to monitor and communicate with all local, state and federal partners as the investigation of this worldwide event continues.

“We appreciate the work of the ... Acute Disease Service and the CDC for working quickly to confirm there are no cases of the Novel Coronavirus in our state,” Cox said.

Nearly 10,000 people people in China have been infected by the disease, and more than 200 have died.

Those at risk of carrying the disease include anyone who traveled to China in the past 14 days and is experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Anyone with those symptoms and travel history should see a health care provider before seeking treatment so that proper evaluation and infection control measures can be put in place. In the event of more suspected cases in Oklahoma, public health officials will work collectively with county health departments, health care providers and hospitals to arrange for testing with the CDC.

The CDC advises the public to avoid all non-essential travel to China and recommends people who must travel to China practice precautions such as avoiding contact with people who are sick and practicing good hand hygiene.

On Thursday the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency as the corona virus outbreak spread well beyond China, where it emerged last month.