The WFICC is monitoring reports from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization.
The CDC has issued interim guidance for healthcare professionals that includes criteria to guide evaluations of patients under investigation for the 2019-nCov, as well as infection prevention and control recommendations.
Below is an overview of the evaluation criteria:
1) Fever AND symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
–and in the last 14 days before symptom onset,
History of travel from Wuhan City, China
-or-
Close contact with a person who is under investigation for 2019-nCoV while that person was ill
2) Fever OR symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
–and in the last 14 days before symptom onset,
Close contact with an ill laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV patient
WFICC intends to keep fully up-to-date as this issue develops and will communicate with our society members in the global intensive and critical care community.
Thank you for remaining diligent and safe as we remain dedicated to our mission of promoting the highest standards of intensive and critical care for all humankind, without discrimination.