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UPDATE: Two More Suspected Cases Of Coronavirus Surface, Another Test Result Comes Back Negative
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Feb 5, 2020
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Photo courtesy of @nykoringoradio
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Feb 5, 2020
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[UPDATED 2/6] Two more people in New York City have been identified as possibly being infected with the novel coronavirus, while one more test has come back negative. All told, five New Yorkers have had their samples sent for testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first case, reported on Saturday, has been ruled out after city health officials announced that the result was negative. The number of pending suspected cases is now three.
To date, there have been no confirmed cases in New York City.
Both of the two new cases involve individuals who are under 40. One has been hospitalized at an undisclosed location. The other did not have severe enough symptoms to require hospitalization, according to a Department of Health press release. Instead the person will remain in isolation and be monitored daily by the city's Health Department.
“New York City is on high alert and prepared to handle any confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus," said Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a statement. “My message to New Yorkers remains the same: if you have the travel history and are exhibiting symptoms, please see your health provider immediately.”
Currently, all testing for the coronavirus is being handled by the CDC, which is headquartered in Atlanta. But local and international agencies should be able to administer a diagnostic test as early as next week. On Wednesday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a telephone press briefing that the agency was shipping test kits out to 150 public health labs. But the compliance process would take several days, she said.
The Health Department said that it will begin posting updates on the Department’s coronavirus page at 10:30 a.m. every weekday as well as issue a press release with updates weekly.
Across the country, there are now 12 confirmed cases. Nearly 500 people have died, and over 20,000 people have been infected. Although 99 percent of the cases have been in China, there are signs of increased anxiety among New Yorkers as well as xenophobia evidenced by accounts in social media. Most recently, two recent viral videos have raised concerns about a potential rise in racism toward Asians.
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department of health and human services
coronavirus
epidemic
health
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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