First case of novel coronavirus reaches Arizona, 5th person in U.S. infected

Arizona's first case of novel coronavirus was confirmed Sunday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health issued a joint statement Sunday afternoon confirming that a person who recently returned from Wuhan, China, was infected with the disease.

The two agencies said the infected person was a member of the "Arizona State University community" and does not live in university housing.

"This person is not severely ill and is currently in isolation to keep the illness from spreading," the agencies said. "MCDPH and ADHS are currently investigating to identify any close contacts that may have been exposed while the person was infectious."

The agencies said those who have been exposed will be contacted so they may be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ said health agencies will closely monitor the virus, but said immediate dangers to the public are considered to be low.

“We will be working directly with the university and local public health in order to identify contacts and to make sure they are being followed and monitored for signs and symptoms of developing the illness,” Christ said Sunday afternoon.

“Stay at home if you’re sick, don’t sneeze or cough into your hands, do it into your sleeve or a tissue and make sure that tissue makes it into the trash can,” Christ added.

She said in a press release earlier in the day that "simple daily precautions" can prevent the spread of the illness.

The agencies recommend people prevent the virus' spread by washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, not touching their face with their hands, avoiding those who are sick and staying home if exhibiting symptoms.

The agencies also recommend people contact their health care provider if they recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and have developed a fever or shortness of breath within two weeks of travel.

The first U.S. case appeared when a Washington-state man in his 30s was diagnosed on Tuesday. A woman in her 60s who was diagnosed in Chicago was the second case. Two more cases appeared in Southern California.

The CDC says more people are likely to develop the virus within the U.S. The virus has infected at least 1,975 people and killed 56 people in China since it was first diagnosed last month, according to country's National Health Commission.

China Health Minister Ma Xiaowei said on Sunday that the "ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger" and is contagious before symptoms appear.

The World Health Organization declined to the classify the coronavirus as a global health emergency while commending China's attempts to contain the virus.

This is a developing story. Check back with azcentral for updates.

Reporter Ryan Vlahovich contributed to this story.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

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