NC Coronavirus: First Case Confirmed, Linked To WA Outbreak

NORTH CAROLINA — A person in Wake County who recently visited a long-term care facility at the center of an outbreak in Washington state has tested positive for the new coronavirus, becoming North Carolina’s first confirmed case, according to state officials.

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health conducted the test, which was considered presumptively positive, WCNC reported. Those test results will now go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for confirmation. The patient, according to the station, is in isolation at their home and doing well.

“I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared,” said Gov. Roy Cooper, WCNC reported. “Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur.”

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Cooper announced Tuesday that NCSLPH will now be able to conduct testing for the virus, which will help facilitate a quicker state-level response to the virus. “Testing is already underway in our state lab and that means we get results faster," Cooper said.

Twelve people have now died from the new coronavirus in Washington state, including a patient who died on Feb. 26 and was not known to have the illness at the time of their death, health officials said.

Seattle and King County Public Health said two additional deaths related to the virus were confirmed since Monday, along with the death of a person who was previously reported ill. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 illnesses in King County grew by seven, rising to 21, with six cases and one death confirmed in Snohomish County, according to the latest Department of Health data.

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home

Authorities said the Feb. 26 patient had underlying health conditions and was a resident at the Kirkland senior facility now connected to at least four other deaths and eight COVID-19 infections. King County Public Health announced the first known death connected to the virus on Feb. 29. The hospital said some staff at Harborview's intensive care unit may have been exposed to the virus and are being monitored and screened in coordination with public health workers.

Related: 9 Coronavirus Deaths In Washington, 7 More Cases In King County

Globally, more than 92,000 people have been infected and over 3,200 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Tuesday afternoon. Of that total, more than 80,000 cases are in China, while the entire United States has 117 confirmed cases to date.
It's caused by a member of the coronavirus that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses.

Background:
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when someone coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, the health department said.

Symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death.

Those who are at risk have recently traveled to China; have close, personal contact with recent travelers to China; have close, personal contact with one who has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus; or care for those who have the new coronavirus, according to health officials.

Public Health Guidance On Virus Prevention:

• Do not go to an emergency room unless absolutely essential. Those with symptoms including a cough, fever, or other respiratory issues are advised to contact their regular doctor first.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Commit to excellent personal hygiene, including regular handwashing and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in Georgia and across the United States:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Georgia Department of Public Health

Coronavirus expected to spread
President Donald Trump spoke about the coronavirus outbreak Saturday, urging Americans not to panic, saying, "If you are healthy, you will probably go through a process and you'll be fine," Politico reported.

Also Saturday, the White House imposed new travel restrictions, elevating travel warnings to regions of Italy and South Korea and banning travel to Iran.
The virus has been spreading so quickly overseas that infectious disease experts and scientists warn there may be no way to contain it.

Last week, a top official at the CDC said during a news conference it's only a matter of time before the new coronavirus spreads to communities across the United States. Communities, schools and businesses should begin preparing now for "the expectation that this could be bad," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease.

What is the new coronavirus?
The symptoms of the new coronavirus are similar to seasonal influenza, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Both are infectious respiratory illnesses, but they're caused by different viruses.

Both cause fever, cough, body aches and fatigue, and both can result in pneumonia. Both illnesses can sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea and can be spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing or talking.

Common good-health practices such as frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and staying home from work or school if sick, can help control both illnesses.

Neither respond to antibiotic treatment, but both may be treated by addressing symptoms, such as reducing fever.

There is no vaccine to protect against the new coronavirus as there is against influenza. Scientists around the world are racing to find a vaccine for the new coronavirus, although none currently exists.

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• NC Coronavirus: ‘Be Vigilant,’ Prevention Effort Urged In Schools
• Coronavirus: North Carolina Should Plan Now For Pandemic Says CDC

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.