Andrea Johnson/MDN Dr. Casmiar Nwaigwe, an infectious disease specialist, said people should get their flu shots.

The possibility of an outbreak of COVID-19, more commonly known as coronavirus, in North Dakota, has concerned health professionals in the area.

“There have been no cases (of coronavirus) in North Dakota so far,” said Dr. Casmiar Nwaigwe, an infectious disease specialist and vice chief of staff for Trinity Medical Group. But Nwaigwe said doctors at Trinity Hospital are paying close attention to the latest news about the virus.

They advise patients to call the First District Health Unit in Minot or their personal doctor for further instructions if they think they have been exposed to someone who has the coronavirus.

“Don’t go to the doctor,” said Nwaigwe. “Call in.”

It is possible for people to transmit the virus to others even before they have symptoms, so that is why it is important for people who have been exposed to avoid transmitting the disease to others by going to a clinic or a hospital. People who think they have been around someone who has been exposed to the coronavirus should also try to avoid exposing others, as far as possible, he said.

But he acknowledged that limiting exposure to the coronavirus might be easier said than done, especially in a free society like the United States where people freely interact with others. It is possible that the disease might reach North Dakota at some point.

“We have to be vigilant,” he said

As of Thursday afternoon, according to the site wordometers.info, there were 82,787 cases of coronavirus worldwide, with 2,817 deaths and 33,351 reported recoveries.

There were 60 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States. No deaths in this country had been reported.

Most of the cases are in China, where the disease originated, with 78,514 total cases reported and 2,747 total deaths in China.

Other cases of the virus had been reported in South Korea, with 1,766 total cases and 13 deaths.

There were 705 cases on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship and four deaths.

There were 655 cases in Italy, with 17 deaths.

There were another 245 cases in Iran, with 26 deaths.

There were 207 cases in Japan, with four total deaths.

There were 96 cases in Singapore, with no deaths.

There were 92 cases in Hong Kong, with two deaths.

There were 43 cases in Kuwait, with no deaths.

There were 41 cases in Germany, 40 cases in Thailand, and 38 cases in France, with two deaths there.

In Bahrain, 33 cases were reported. In Taiwan, there were 32 cases, with one death.

There were 25 cases of coronavirus reported in Spain; 23 cases in Australia; 22 cases in Malaysia; 19 cases in the United Arab Emirates; 16 cases in the United Kingdom; 16 cases in Vietnam; 13 cases in Canada and 10 cases in Macao.

There were also cases in the single digits reported in Switzerland, Iraq, Sweden, Oman, Austria, Norway, Philippines, Croatia, Greece, India, Israel, Lebanon, Finland, Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, North Macedonia, Nepal, Netherlands, Romania, San Marino, and Sri Lanka.

Nwaigwe said there seems to be about a 2 percent fatality rate for the coronavirus. Many people will contract the coronavirus and recover without ever knowing they have been infected. Others will become ill and will recover.

Nwaigwe said medical professionals are also trying to discourage people from stockpiling masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus, causing a panic and then creating an artificial shortage.

Some media reports suggest that the coronavirus could affect the supply chain for medication, especially since many of the ingredients used in U.S. drugs come from China, where the economy has slowed down due to coronavirus.

Nwaigwe said he has not yet noticed any problems with drug shortage here.

Frequent handwashing and covering one’s cough, some of the preventative measures that are recommended to prevent the influenza virus, might also be useful for preventing coronavirus.

In the meanwhile, the most immediate concern of health professionals is influenza, which has already been impacting people in the region.

Flu season has begun causing disruptions for area schools and businesses, with at least one area school this month having called off classes because so many kids were home sick with the flu.

“It’s not too late to get the (flu) vaccine,” said Lacey McNichols, RN, with the First District Health Unit. “We encourage everybody to get vaccinated.”

People over age six months can be vaccinated. Flu shots are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First District Health Unit. McNichol said financial assistance is available to pay for the shot through various programs for people who do not have insurance.

Flu shots are also available through other providers.

Nwaigwe said the flu shot is estimated as 45 percent effective this year and it is most effective in younger people. Even though it is not 100 percent effective, the flu shot might still reduce the severity of the flu if people do catch it. Young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions are considered most at risk of complications of the flu.

Nwaigwe said the flu shot takes about two weeks to become effective.

“You should get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said.

The North Dakota Department of Health reports that there were a total of 8,965 cases of flu reported in North Dakota as of this week, including 78 people who have been hospitalized.

There are 5,426 cases of the Type B flu and 2,934 cases of Type A flu. Other strains reported included 210 cases of Type A, H1N1, 22 cases of Type A, H3, two cases of Type B, Yamagata, and 341 cases of Type B, Victoria strain.

More than 50 cases have been reported in counties within the area, including Ward County, Mountrail County, McHenry County, McLean County, Mercer County, Williams County, McKenzie County and Rolette County. Up to 40 cases were reported in Bottineau and Renville Counties.