2nd Coronavirus Case Confirmed In NY; Family In Quarantine

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — A second case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday. A state lab in Albany confirmed that a man in his 50s who lives in Westchester County tested positive for COVID-19.

The 50-year-old man — an attorney who lives in New Rochelle — remains in serious condition at a New York City hospital, Cuomo said. The man was previously a patient at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. A review of his travel didn't reveal a direct link to countries on the watch list, including China, health officials said.

The New Rochelle man's family includes a wife and four children, two of whom are in Israel, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. One of the children, a daughter, attends SAR Academy in Riverdale. The school closed for the day. One son is in college, the name of which was not immediately released. Two other private schools — Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck and Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains — also closed for the day.

The man's family is under self-quarantine in their home.

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The county currently has a dozen people in quarantine, Latimer said at a news conference Tuesday. He does not know if any will develop into active cases of the coronavirus. Typically, people who have potentially been exposed remain quarantined for two weeks to see whether they develop symptoms. Isolation is required when someone is diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

The county must play detective and track where the New Rochelle man and his family went within Westchester County to get an idea of whether the virus spread and, if so, to whom, Latimer said.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said at the news conference that he spoke for every resident of the city in sending thoughts and prayers to their neighbors. City officials will listen to experts at the county and state levels about how to proceed, he said.

"We want to make sure people are armed with the best information," Bramson said.

When asked whether the county would see more cases of COVID-19, Latimer said it would be irresponsible to give a number that he couldn't support with facts.

"Westchester County is adjacent to New York City," he said. "Two hundred thousand people commute out of the county to work."

Latimer also noted the county is not isolated from other parts of the world, as it is home to international corporations.

"We have to assume that this contagion will grow," he said.

Two families in Buffalo are also in isolation in their homes after having traveled back from Italy, The Buffalo News reported. Medical officials said they are testing the individuals following state and federal guidelines.

The first person to test positive for the new coronavirus in New York was a health care worker who came back from a trip to Iran Tuesday. She is 39 years old and is not considered in serious condition. The woman is self-isolated in her Manhattan home.

The most recent data on the state's health department website still show only one positive case in the state, which is in New York City. As of Monday, 32 people were under investigation for the virus. Eight were found to be negative in New York City and 22 were negative outside the city. One test result was pending.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said current symptoms reported for people with COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing. The virus is spreading from person to person, and someone sickened with the virus can spread the illness to others, medical officials said.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the new coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus, though the CDC recommends preventive actions to help avoid spreading respiratory diseases, such as:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home if sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue away

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

For more information, go here.