InfoSearched
Published -
- February 29, 2020
- 1:54 am
Coronavirus case in Northern California.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is retracing the steps of a local woman now critically ill who had no known contact with anyone quarantined at a nearby Air Force Base.
What are public health officials doing to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States and around the world?
Health officials in Northern California are examining a possible case of the novel coronavirus, according to a statement issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The patient, who remains unnamed, is believed to have contracted the virus during a trip to Wuhan, China—the epicenter of the outbreak—late last year.
The case was first reported over the weekend by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, which said the patient is being kept in isolation until the virus can be confirmed or ruled out. Samples from the individual have been sent to the CDC for testing. It’s unclear how long it will take to obtain results.
If confirmed, the patient would be the fifth case of the coronavirus in the United States, following incidents in Washington, Illinois, and Arizona. All four patients had recently traveled to Wuhan.
The outbreak, which began in Wuhan in December, has now infected more than 20,000 people and claimed over 400 lives. It has spread to at least 25 countries, with cases confirmed as far away as Europe, North America, and Australia.
Public health officials around the world have been scrambling to contain the outbreak, with many countries implementing travel restrictions and quarantine measures. Chinese authorities have imposed a lockdown on Wuhan and several surrounding cities, affecting tens of millions of people.
The coronavirus, which causes flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, and respiratory distress, is believed to be spread through respiratory droplets. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.
In the United States, health officials have urged the public to take precautions such as washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home if feeling ill. The CDC has set up a special task force to monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts.
Despite the growing number of cases around the world, health officials have stressed that the risk to the general public in the United States remains low. Nonetheless, the continued spread of the virus underscores the need for continued vigilance and preparedness.
