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Coronavirus traveling internationally

Tucson Gem Show attracts international visitors
Posted at 8:04 PM, Jan 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-05 14:43:19-05

TUCSON, Ariz. - The coronavirus is concentrated in China but international travel has already brought a few cases to the U.S.

Now Tucson is headed for an influx of international travelers as the annual Gem and Mineral Show picks up.

The impressive stones at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show come from all over the world, and so do the vendors who bring them here.

The Centers for Disease Controlsays travelers from high risk areas will enter the U-S through five designated airports, set up for enhanced screening. They are LAX, JFK, San Francisco International, Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield.

Banner University Medical Center's Medical Director Doctor Gordon Carr defers details of the airport screening to the CDC but says generally screening looks at a combination of symptoms and history.

"Those would be a convincing exposure history, meaning travel or travel to the affected region or close personal contact with an affected individual within a 14 day time period plus a convincing clinical syndrome."

Doctor Carr does not see a reason to stay away from the Gem Show but says it's smart to stick with familiar precautions like frequent hand washing and staying away from sick people.