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On behalf of the ISARIC Executive:Novel Coronavirus27/09/12Dear Colleagues,The ISARIC Executive have considered the information that is currentlyavailable regarding the novel coronavirus and have made the followingstatement:In response to the two patients with severe respiratory disease and renalfailure who have been diagnosed with a novel coronavirus, we ask that youconsider enhanced surveillance in your Intensive Care Units for similarcases and inquire about travel history in those presenting withunexplained SARI or in their contacts. ISARIC has been asked todisseminate this message on behalf of the Flu-team at WHO Geneva. Please,do make yourself familiar with your national public health agency guidanceand case definitions in relation to the novel coronavirus. Please, alsonote that guidance and case definitions in an evolving situation changeregularly, so it is wise to check the relevant websites daily.In addition to the necessary diagnostic/confirmatory tests,  in possiblenovel coronavirus cases, when and where possible please consider bankingof diagnostic or admission samples (upper and lower respiratory tractsecretions, blood, urine & faeces) for potential future work but stilladhering to your relevant national regulations. Of course, while takingsamples and while caring for the patient, please REMEMBER to apply theappropriate infection control & biosafety measures.The HPA have produced infection control guidance for the health caresetting, which can be found at the following web link: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1317136202637If you have any information regarding the novel coronavirus that you wouldlike to have disseminated to all recipients of ISARIC emails, please emailKajsa directly.We will continue to keep the situation under review just in case we haveto enhance our response.Thank you. ISARIC Secretariat