200 Georgia travelers asked to ‘self-monitor’ for coronavirus symptoms, health agency says

About 200 Georgia travelers who recently returned from China are monitoring themselves for symptoms of the deadly coronavirus, the state Department of Public Health says.

“These travelers arrived in the U.S. from mainland China outside Hubei Province with no known high-risk exposure,” an agency news release said. “These individuals are asymptomatic ... and are self-isolating at home.”

The agency contacted the Georgia travelers returning from China based on a list generated daily by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“DPH epidemiologists contact the individuals by phone to establish a plan for self-monitoring and provide instructions on how to contact DPH before seeking health care if they develop fever, cough or shortness of breath,” the release said.

A 14-day quarantine is required for returning travelers who have been in the high-risk Hubei Province, where the virus has rapidly spread.

For those returning from other parts of China, 14 days of supervised self-monitoring is required under a proclamation issued by President Trump on Jan. 31.

“There are no Georgia travelers who have returned from Wuhan or Hubei Province requiring quarantine,” the release said.

This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 8:50 AM.