Second U.S. case of Wuhan coronavirus 2019-nCoV confirmed by CDC

Xeni Jardin

from on 2020-01-24 23:58 (#4YDD9)

U.S. health officials on Friday confirm a second U.S. case of the so-called Wuhan virus, which is officially known as Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had a phone call with reporters late Friday, and told news media that a second patient has been hospitalized with 2019-nCoV.

The patient is a Chicago woman.

"CDC believes the immediate risk to the American public is low at this time, but the situation continues to evolve rapidly," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said on the call.

CDC says 63 potential cases are being investigated as the potentially deadly illness continues to spread globally, sparking fears of a worldwide pandemic like the SARS in 2003, which killed hundreds.

Out of 63 people who are being investigated in 22 different states, 11 patients have so far tested negative, CDC said on the conference call with reporters.

From Reuters:

News of the woman in Chicago infected with the virus that originated in Wuhan, China, followed the announcement earlier this week of a man from Washington state who was diagnosed with the virus after returning from Wuhan.
The newly discovered virus has killed 26 people and infected more than 800. Most of the cases and all of the deaths so far have been in China, where officials have imposed severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings.
The virus has created alarm, but there are a still many unknowns surrounding it, such as just how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. It can lead to pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases.

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