Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Atlanta. Here’s what we know so far
Two people in Georgia tested positive for coronavirus, public health officials said.
The two people live in the same house and one had recently returned from a trip to Italy where there’s been a major outbreak over the past two weeks, officials announced Monday.
“Our team has been working around the clock to prepare for any scenario. Already, state health officials have established contact with these individuals to gather more information, monitor their condition, and determine any exposure,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement to the press.
There have been more than 90,000 cases globally of the virus, COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization. More than 3,000 people have died as of Monday, the WHO said.
More than 90 people in the United States had contracted the virus as of Monday, with about half of those cases in evacuees from Wuhan, China, where the virus originated, or passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
There have been 18 confirmed cases and six people have died from the virus in Washington state, public health officials there said.
Four of the fatal cases have been at one nursing home, The Tacoma News Tribune reports.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first person-to-person transmission of the virus last week, with cases found in California, Washington and Oregon.
“We knew that Georgia would likely have confirmed cases of COVID-19, and we planned for it. The immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public, however, remains low at this time,” Georgia Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey said.
“I cannot emphasize enough the need for all Georgians to follow the simple precautions that DPH always urges to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses,” she said.
The virus is spread by infected people who cough or sneeze.
“Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 or individuals in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19,” Georgia officials said.
Public health experts say the best way to prevent getting sick it to wash you hands regularly, don’t touch your face and avoid contact with sick people.
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 7:54 AM with the headline "Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Atlanta. Here’s what we know so far."
