Coronavirus case of unknown origin diagnosed in Solano County
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF)
UPDATE 2/26/2020 5:30 p.m. Officials with the California Department of Public Health confirm that a patient diagnosed with coronavirus is a Solano County resident being treated in Sacramento County.
In a press release sent to the CBS affiliate in San Francisco, the CDC said the new case would be the first sign of the virus possibly spreading in a community outside of cases that have been under quarantine. This case is not associated with the Diamond Princess cruise ship or someone returning from a visit to China.
UPDATE 2/26/2020 5:20 p.m. The CDC confirmed a new coronavirus case of unknown origin in Northern California.
In a press release sent to the CBS affiliate in San Francisco, the CDC said the new case would be the first sign of the virus possibly spreading in a community outside of cases that have been under quarantine. This case is not associated with the Diamond Princess cruise ship or someone returning from a visit to China.
“At this time, the patient’s exposure is unknown,” a press release from the CDC read. “It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.”
This case brings the number of cases confirmed in the U.S. up to 15.
PREVIOUS STORY: An official with the CDC reportedly said Wednesday that a new coronavirus case has been confirmed in Northern California.
According to the CBS affiliate in San Francisco, the CDC confirmed that the 15th U.S. case of COVID-19 was caught in the public health system somewhere in Northern California, but a more specific location was not available. The 15 are cases confirmed in the United States. Other cases in the United States are from people who were sent back to the U.S.
The Washington Post reports that the new case is not associated with the Diamond Princess cruise ship or with someone who had returned from visiting China, but a CDC spokesperson could not confirm if the case was of unknown origin or patient details to KPIX.
The Washington Post said officials are tracing the contacts the new coronavirus case has had to find out how that person might have been infected and who else may have been exposed.
