UPDATE 9:45 P.M. A spokesperson from the Sunrise Health Systems in Southern Nevada said they have not seen any patients with coronavirus.
As part of HCA Healthcare, which is working in tandem with the CDC on proactive preparedness precautions, the hospital group is receiving regular updates and guidance.
Also, the hospital is practicing heightened vigilance by specifying recent travel history from China and, at the first point of contact, screening patients for fever and respiratory illness.
FURTHER COVERAGE
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- The coronavirus began in China in December, and the first reported case in the United States was on January 21 in Washington State.
It was a man who had just returned from China. Now, there are five reported cases in the U.S.
The virus has similar symptoms to the flu and is most common in animals but can be spread to people.
According to the CDC, thousands have been infected with coronavirus in China, and more than 100 have died.
Southern Nevada Health District officials say there are no confirmed cases in Southern Nevada.
Twenty airports around the country are screening for coronavirus, but McCarran Airport is not one of them because anyone landing in Las Vegas has already been through screening at one of those 20 airports.
Although there is no risk in Southern Nevada right now, health officials advise to take precautions like washing hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
They say these are proper steps to take to prevent the spread of any disease.
