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HOLMDEL - A patient is being treated at Bayshore Medical Center for a suspected case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus from China, while awaiting test results to confirm the diagnosis, the hospital said.

New Jersey’s state health laboratory became equipped to conduct the tests on Friday, and said results would be expected within 24 hours. The patient’s suspected diagnosis became known through an email from Hackensack Meridian Health’s vice president for infection prevention and control overnight Friday.

a sign on the side of the street: Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel Township. © David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel Township.

Few details were released, to protect patient privacy. Here’s what we know:

Have officials confirmed the patient at the Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel has COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus?

No. The patient who is suspected of having the virus is being tested but there is no confirmation that the patient has been infected with coronavirus.

The New Jersey Department of Health said, "New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratories is currently testing for coronavirus on an individual hospitalized in Monmouth County. The individual is being tested in accordance with CDC guidelines and the Department of Health expects test results within 24 hours. The hospital has taken all necessary precautions and is following infectious disease protocol."

The Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) said they have not been officially notified about any cases related to the virus in New Jersey, but they are getting reports daily and will notify the public of any major updates.

Dr. Jerry M. Zuckerman, vice president of Infection and Control of Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center, issued an email overnight to its clinicians that the hospital has initiated the following protocols:

  • Isolation of the patient
  • Use of dedicated equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment
  • Visitor restrictions
  • Proper management and disposal of all materials associated with treatment

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"Please rest assured that our health care team is taking every precaution in caring for this isolated patient and determining an accurate diagnosis," the hospital said.

"Led by our Infection Prevention team, they are working with the New Jersey's Department of Health in accordance with protocols provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control...," Zuckerman said.

The Bayshore Medical Center, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Hackensack Meridian Health Department were all contacted but did not immediately respond for more details of the case.

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Have there been any cases of the virus in New Jersey?

Since the outbreak in China first began, there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey, although there is one patient currently suspected of having COVID-19 at Bayshore Medical Center in Monmouth County.

That patient was in isolation and being evaluated as of Feb. 29.

There have also been a few false alarms. Why?

On Jan. 25, the state said a patient who was evaluated at Hackensack University Medical Center Jan. 24 turned out not to have coronavirus.

On Jan. 27, state officials said a New Jersey patient was among 110 nationwide to be tested for the new type of virus that has spread across China and to 16 countries to that point.

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The person in New Jersey who was being tested for the virus that caused a widespread outbreak in China does not have it, the New Jersey Department of Health announced Jan. 28. 

Over the past several weeks, at least 22 residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties have been quarantined at their homes, following their return from places where the outbreaks of COVID-19 began, according to authorities

The Monmouth County Regional Health Commission has monitored nine residents in recent weeks. The Ocean County Health Department has monitored 13 people who live within its jurisdiction, according to county and local public health officials.

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What steps should you take to protect yourself from getting the virus?

The Center for Disease and Control Prevention said on their website, "there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)."

The public health institution said the best way to prevent catching the illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

The CDC has issued the following tips to help avoid the virus:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the disease from spreading to others
a person wearing glasses talking on a cell phone: Nurse Viviana Castano, RN, pulls elastics as she tries to wear a mask during the Covid 19 Training with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the hospital's simulation center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck on 02/24/20. © Mitsu Yasukawa/ Northjersey.com Nurse Viviana Castano, RN, pulls elastics as she tries to wear a mask during the Covid 19 Training with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the hospital's simulation center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck on 02/24/20.

What are the symptoms for COVID-19, known as the coronavirus?

Confirmed coronavirus cases have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death, according to the CDC's section for coronavirus.

The following symptoms may include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

These symptoms may appear as quickly as 2 days or as long as 14 days after being exposed to COVID-19, according to the public health institution.

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How many confirmed cases are there in the United States?

As of Saturday, a patient in Seattle, Washington, has become the first person in the county to die after being diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to the Associated Press.

As of Feb. 23, there have been 14 COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the following six states:

  • Arizona - 1
  • California - 8
  • Illinois - 2
  • Massachusetts - 1
  • Washington - 1
  • Wisconsin - 1

The CDC is reporting 12 of the 14 cases were related to travel to China, with two of the cases coming from person-to-person transmission between household members.

There has been 39 cases among U.S. citizens, residents, and their families returning from Asia. Including, three from China, and 36 cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was docked in Japan.

In total, there have been 53 confirmed cases within the United States, but there have been no deaths reported.

As of Feb. 28, the CDC is aware and reporting four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 and are currently conducting investigations on the following:

  • California has announced a second possible instance of community spread
  • Oregon has announced its first possible instance of community spread
  • The state of Washington has announced two presumptive cases. One is likely travel related and 

Joshua Chung is the 9-5 breaking news and weather reporter. A lifelong Jersey Shore resident, he is a recent graduate of Michigan State University. Contact him at jchung@gannettnj.com, 732-557-5748 or on Twitter @Joshchunggg

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Coronavirus in New Jersey: What we know about patient at Bayshore hospital

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