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SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS. >> THEY ARE TAKING MAJOR PRECAUTIONS. MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TREATING THE PATIENT’S WEARING DISPOSABLE GOWNS, A SHIELD PROTECTING THEIR HEAD. AND THE ROOM THE PATIENT IS IN HAS NEGATIVE AIRFLOW, MEANING IT VENTS OUTSIDE. IF THIS IS A CASE, THEY DO NOT WANT IT TO SPREAD. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE PATIENT HOSPITALIZED MONDAY IS NOT SEVERELY A BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE , SYMPTOMS AND RETURNED FROM WUHAN, CHINA. >> WE HAVE BEEN GETTING READY AND PREPARING AND RESPONDING TO THESE THINGS FOR YEARS. >> THE HOSPITAL SAYS IT’S FOLLOWING ALL CDC GUIDELINES. CORONAVIRUS IS SO NEW, THE HOSPITAL MUST SEND ITS LABS TO GEORGIA FOR TESTING. THEY EXPECT ANSWERS THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. >> THERE IS A VOLUME ISSUE. THERE ARE A LOT OF PERSONS BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THIS VIRUS AT THIS TIME, SO THEY’RE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A BACK UP ON SOME TESTING. >> ONLY THE CDC CAN TEST FOR THE VIRUS. IN THE MEAN TIME, THE HOSPIT TREATS IT SIMILAR TO TUBERCULOSIS. >> IT IS CAREFUL. AND IT IS METICULOUS. >> -- IT IS METICULOUS. >> CORONAVIRUS IS A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE HEADACHE, COUGH, RUNNY NOSE, SORE THROAT AND FEVER. THE VIRUS SPREADS THROUGH THE AIR. >> WE ARE FOLLOWING THE RIGHT STEP THE PATIENT IS GETTING THE RIGHT CARE. >> THE HOSPITAL SAYS THERE’S NO REASON THE PUBLIC SHOULD B

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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said a person under investigation from Douglas County who was being tested for the novel coronavirus is not infected with the virus. Negative results were received Saturday after testing was performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Earlier this week, Lawrence Memorial Hospital said it is investigating Kansas’ first potential case of coronavirus.“We are pleased that test results were negative and that the patient remains in good health. He had been released from LMH Health and was in a monitored, isolated living space following CDC guidelines,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “He will now be able to resume his normal routine, and there is no risk to the public.”ORIGINAL STORYLawrence Memorial Hospital said it is investigating Kansas’ first potential case of coronavirus.LMH Health said it is working with local and state health agencies related to a potential case of novel coronavirus, a spokesperson with the hospital said. The outbreak of this new respiratory illness was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and it continues to expand to a growing number of international locations, including the United States.The hospital said it received a patient with symptoms of a respiratory illness. “Given the patient’s recent travel to Wuhan, procedures are underway to treat the patient while minimizing exposure,” the hospital said.“These procedures include placing the patient in isolation in a room specially designed for infection prevention. Efforts are focused on caring for this patient as the hospital awaits test results; an update is expected by the end of the week. Due to the safety precautions in place, the hospital will remain open to patients and the community.Russ Johnson, LMH Health president and CEO, said the hospital is working closely with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department.“Our initial role was one of surveillance – as the outbreak became apparent, we placed health alerts throughout the hospital and clinics regarding potential exposure in an effort to increase awareness of possible symptoms among travelers from China. Now, our efforts are focused on caring for this patient as we await test results,” Johnson said. The hospital said symptoms of novel coronavirus include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat and fever. Concerned individuals should seek medical help right away, calling ahead before seeing a doctor or going to an emergency room. “We invest substantial time and energy ensuring we are prepared to handle public health concerns in concert with our partners at the local, state and federal level,” said Dr. Christopher Penn, LMH Health’s board certified physician in infectious disease and internal medicine. “The processes we have in place are intended to keep our providers and community safe, while providing the best care to those who need us most.”