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U.K. Businessman Linked to Coronavirus Cluster Comes Forward U.K. Businessman Linked to Coronavirus Cluster Comes Forward
(2 months later)
BRIGHTON, England — A British businessman believed to be the source of a cluster of coronavirus cases in Britain and France came forward on Tuesday, saying that he had fully recovered but would remain in isolation as a precaution.BRIGHTON, England — A British businessman believed to be the source of a cluster of coronavirus cases in Britain and France came forward on Tuesday, saying that he had fully recovered but would remain in isolation as a precaution.
The man, Steve Walsh, from Hove, a town neighboring the popular seaside area of Brighton in southern England, contracted the virus at a conference in Singapore last month, according to his representatives, before traveling on to a chalet in the French Alps where a number of other Britons also fell ill. Mr. Walsh had already been widely identified in the British media as the man who brought the virus to the chalet.The man, Steve Walsh, from Hove, a town neighboring the popular seaside area of Brighton in southern England, contracted the virus at a conference in Singapore last month, according to his representatives, before traveling on to a chalet in the French Alps where a number of other Britons also fell ill. Mr. Walsh had already been widely identified in the British media as the man who brought the virus to the chalet.
Mr. Walsh thanked doctors for their care in a statement released by a public relations firm representing him and his employer.Mr. Walsh thanked doctors for their care in a statement released by a public relations firm representing him and his employer.
“Whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus,” said Mr. Walsh, one of at least eight people in Britain who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past month.“Whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus,” said Mr. Walsh, one of at least eight people in Britain who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past month.
More than 44,000 people, mostly in China, have been sickened by the virus since it first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and more than 1,100 have died. The virus has spread to at least 24 countries, triggering fears of a global pandemic.More than 44,000 people, mostly in China, have been sickened by the virus since it first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and more than 1,100 have died. The virus has spread to at least 24 countries, triggering fears of a global pandemic.
In Britain, attention has been focused on a cluster of transmissions at a ski resort in the French Alpine town of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Switzerland, late last month.In Britain, attention has been focused on a cluster of transmissions at a ski resort in the French Alpine town of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Switzerland, late last month.
At least six people in Britain, including Mr. Walsh, and five Britons in France who have the virus have been linked to the chalet.At least six people in Britain, including Mr. Walsh, and five Britons in France who have the virus have been linked to the chalet.
The British health authorities announced on Monday that they had confirmed four additional cases of the coronavirus in the country, all closely linked and tied to the French transmissions.The British health authorities announced on Monday that they had confirmed four additional cases of the coronavirus in the country, all closely linked and tied to the French transmissions.
In his statement, Mr. Walsh said that he had contacted his doctor and local public health officials as soon as he knew he had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus case.In his statement, Mr. Walsh said that he had contacted his doctor and local public health officials as soon as he knew he had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus case.
“I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed,” he said. “When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.”“I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed,” he said. “When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.”
Mr. Walsh’s employer, Servomex, a gas analytics company, issued a statement noting that it was pleased that he had made a full recovery and that it would “continue to provide support to him and his family.”Mr. Walsh’s employer, Servomex, a gas analytics company, issued a statement noting that it was pleased that he had made a full recovery and that it would “continue to provide support to him and his family.”
The company said it was working with the public health authorities and said it was it was enforcing self-isolation for others who had attended the sales conference in Singapore where Mr. Walsh was believed to have contracted the virus.The company said it was working with the public health authorities and said it was it was enforcing self-isolation for others who had attended the sales conference in Singapore where Mr. Walsh was believed to have contracted the virus.
The conference was held from Jan. 19 to 22 with about 90 company employees in attendance. The first Servomex employee tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 3 — that person also attended the conference — and guidance was issued to all staff members. This is what alerted Mr. Walsh to the situation, and he subsequently contacted his doctor.The conference was held from Jan. 19 to 22 with about 90 company employees in attendance. The first Servomex employee tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 3 — that person also attended the conference — and guidance was issued to all staff members. This is what alerted Mr. Walsh to the situation, and he subsequently contacted his doctor.
Public health officials on Monday evening said two of the new cases announced earlier in the day were health care workers and said that they had been advised to isolate themselves.Public health officials on Monday evening said two of the new cases announced earlier in the day were health care workers and said that they had been advised to isolate themselves.
“We are now working urgently to identify all patients and other health care workers who may have come into close contact, and at this stage we believe this to be a relatively small number,” Prof. Yvonne Doyle, the medical director of Public Health England, said in a statement.“We are now working urgently to identify all patients and other health care workers who may have come into close contact, and at this stage we believe this to be a relatively small number,” Prof. Yvonne Doyle, the medical director of Public Health England, said in a statement.
While national public health officials did not specify the number of contacts the health workers had, a senior official at National Health Service group said at least 12 patients at the County Oak Medical Center in Brighton came into contact with them. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the news media.While national public health officials did not specify the number of contacts the health workers had, a senior official at National Health Service group said at least 12 patients at the County Oak Medical Center in Brighton came into contact with them. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the news media.
The center was working with national health officials to trace the movements of the patients, she said.The center was working with national health officials to trace the movements of the patients, she said.
The Bevendean Primary School in Brighton also said one of its staff members had been advised to go into self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who carried the virus. It said it would allow absences if parents wanted to keep their children at home.The Bevendean Primary School in Brighton also said one of its staff members had been advised to go into self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who carried the virus. It said it would allow absences if parents wanted to keep their children at home.
Tracing those who might have been in contact with someone infected with the coronavirus is being coordinated by Public Health England, which is working with the Department of Health, the National Health Service and local councils to respond to the current cases.Tracing those who might have been in contact with someone infected with the coronavirus is being coordinated by Public Health England, which is working with the Department of Health, the National Health Service and local councils to respond to the current cases.
That process involves health officials working with each patient to collect information on where they may have visited since the onset of symptoms or, in the case of travelers, since they arrived in Britain.That process involves health officials working with each patient to collect information on where they may have visited since the onset of symptoms or, in the case of travelers, since they arrived in Britain.
All of the contacts are then categorized into high or low risk. Those deemed to be at a higher risk have a daily health assessment and some may be asked to isolate themselves, health officials say.All of the contacts are then categorized into high or low risk. Those deemed to be at a higher risk have a daily health assessment and some may be asked to isolate themselves, health officials say.
Updated June 1, 2020
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Any of the contacts who report symptoms will be assessed and offered testing for the virus, the official said.Any of the contacts who report symptoms will be assessed and offered testing for the virus, the official said.
But in Brighton, where a number of confirmed cases are linked, many feared they were not being given enough information.But in Brighton, where a number of confirmed cases are linked, many feared they were not being given enough information.
Samer Bagaeen, a member of Brighton and Hove City Council’s health board, criticized health officials and the local council for a lack of information. Mr. Bagaeen said advice from health officials that people “self-isolate” has caused confusion.Samer Bagaeen, a member of Brighton and Hove City Council’s health board, criticized health officials and the local council for a lack of information. Mr. Bagaeen said advice from health officials that people “self-isolate” has caused confusion.
“We haven’t been given any information about the self-isolation process,” Mr. Bagaeen said. “Are these individuals still going into shops and buying groceries? And if not, who are they coming into contact with and how are they being protected?”“We haven’t been given any information about the self-isolation process,” Mr. Bagaeen said. “Are these individuals still going into shops and buying groceries? And if not, who are they coming into contact with and how are they being protected?”
Brighton residents expressed similar frustrations, with many complaining that information was coming by word of mouth rather than through official channels.Brighton residents expressed similar frustrations, with many complaining that information was coming by word of mouth rather than through official channels.
“This is a small place, and it’s scary to think that anyone could have it, and anyone could get it,” said Adam Neil, a convenience store employee, who put up a “card only” sign on Monday to avoid handling people’s cash.“This is a small place, and it’s scary to think that anyone could have it, and anyone could get it,” said Adam Neil, a convenience store employee, who put up a “card only” sign on Monday to avoid handling people’s cash.
“No one has given us any information, so we have to take our own precautions,” he said.“No one has given us any information, so we have to take our own precautions,” he said.
Jack Henley, a local taxi driver said he would work half days until the risk of contracting the virus diminished.Jack Henley, a local taxi driver said he would work half days until the risk of contracting the virus diminished.
“Our bosses won’t let us wear masks because they don’t want us to scare the customers away, but I’m scared of the customers, to be frank,” he said.“Our bosses won’t let us wear masks because they don’t want us to scare the customers away, but I’m scared of the customers, to be frank,” he said.
Matt Hancock, Britain’s health secretary, told Parliament on Wednesday that the coronavirus situation would “get worse before it gets better,” but noted that even as numbers of infections in Britain have risen in recent days, the threat to the public remained “moderate.”Matt Hancock, Britain’s health secretary, told Parliament on Wednesday that the coronavirus situation would “get worse before it gets better,” but noted that even as numbers of infections in Britain have risen in recent days, the threat to the public remained “moderate.”
On Sunday, 105 British citizens returned to the country on a flight after being evacuated from Wuhan, China. They are now in isolation facilities.On Sunday, 105 British citizens returned to the country on a flight after being evacuated from Wuhan, China. They are now in isolation facilities.
Mr. Hancock defended measures introduced on Monday to extend the government’s power to impose a quarantine on people believed to be at risk of spreading the virus. He warned that the response to the coronavirus would be long term.Mr. Hancock defended measures introduced on Monday to extend the government’s power to impose a quarantine on people believed to be at risk of spreading the virus. He warned that the response to the coronavirus would be long term.
“Dealing with this disease is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.“Dealing with this disease is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.