Arizona Coronavirus Case Confirmed, Bringing U.S. Total To 5

TEMPE, AZ — A fifth U.S. case of the new coronavirus has been confirmed by Arizona public health officials. Four other cases have been confirmed in the United States — two in California and one each in Washington state and Illinois. The person with the illness is Arizona is affiliated with Arizona State University.

The new case was reported in Maricopa County by both the Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County Department of Public Health. The person recently returned from travel to Wuhan, China, the center of the outbreak of the pneumonia-like respiratory illness that has been ongoing since December 2019.

All five of the U.S. residents who have been sickened have traveled to Wuhan, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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In a joint statement, the two Arizona public health departments said patient is affiliated with Arizona State University but does not live in university housing.

“This person is not severely ill and is currently in isolation to keep the illness from spreading,” the statement said.

Public health officials said they are investigating to identify any close contacts who may have been exposed while the person was infectious.

“Any individuals who have been identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly,” the statement continued. “These individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms in collaboration with public health and the university."

The coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and symptoms are believed to occur within two to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing. People considered at risk for contracting the virus are those who have traveled to Wuhan, China, or those in close contact with a person infected with the virus.

Currently, no commercial testing is available, and there is no vaccine. Public health officials are working with those exposed to get testing by CDC.

“While the immediate risk of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to the general public is believed to be low at this time, ADHS and our county public health partners will continue to actively monitor for the disease,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “There are simple daily precautions that everyone should always take to prevent the spread of diseases.”

Public health officials say flu and other respiratory diseases are circulating, and they recommend that everyone get a flu shot and follow basic prevention guidelines.

The best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses are to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Someone should stay home and call a doctor right away if they recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and have developed fever with cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel, or if they have had contact with someone who is suspected of having the coronavirus, health officials said.