NASHUA – New Hampshire is joining Hong Kong, Shanghai, Australia, France, Canada, Chicago, California and numerous other cities, states and countries throughout the world by warning of the deadly coronavirus.

Monday, the same day China’s death toll from the virus rose to 81, New Hampshire health officials confirmed they are monitoring “two individuals in New Hampshire with recent travel to Wuhan City, China.”

According to information provided by New Hampshire Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan, the two individuals developed respiratory symptoms and sought health care for their illnesses. He said they will remain isolated until test results are available.

Chan said samples from the two patients have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. He said officials would alert the public to any further danger as quickly as possible.

“The risk to our communities in New Hampshire is low, but we want to identify people who may be infected with this new coronavirus in order to prevent spread,” Chan said. “We have recommended that health care providers conduct travel screenings and implement isolation practices for patients with a fever or respiratory illness who report travel to this affected region of China. This is a rapidly changing situation, and we remain committed to providing timely updates to residents of New Hampshire and our health care providers.”

According to the CDC, common symptoms associated with the virus include, but are not limited to runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell.

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against the novel coronavirus. The CDC recommends taking precautionary measures similar to those for flu prevention, including:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water;

• Avoiding sick people;

• Staying home if one is sick;

• Covering one’s nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and

• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

Chan said anyone planning a trip to China should keep an eye on media reports and be aware of any travel restrictions. Residents who have recently returned from a trip to China and are feeling sick should call their health care provider and let them know of their travel and symptoms.

The spread of the illness is being watched around the globe, with a small number of cases have appeared in other countries. South Korea confirmed its fourth case Monday, according to the Associated Press. Cases also have been confirmed in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Canada and Australia.

The confirmed U.S. cases are in the state of Washington, Chicago, southern California and Arizona, AP stated.

In China, meanwhile, the government of Shanghai, a metropolis of 25 million people and a global business center, extended the holiday by an additional week within the city to Feb. 9. It ordered sports stadiums and religious events closed.

In Wuhan, anti-disease efforts began with the Jan. 22 suspension of plane, train and bus links to the city of 11 million people in central China where the virus was first detected last month. That lockdown has expanded to a total of 17 cities with more than 50 million people in the most far-reaching disease-control measures ever imposed.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, announced it would bar entry to visitors from the province at the center of the outbreak following a warning the virus’s ability to spread was growing. Travel agencies were ordered to cancel group tours nationwide, adding to the rising economic cost, according to AP.

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