The CDC on Wednesday reported the first possible case of community spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the U.S. A person in California (actually hospitalized prior to diagnosis at UC Davis Hospital) — without a relevant travel history or known exposure to someone with COVID-19 — has tested positive for the virus. There was a delay in testing (although requested by the patient’s clinical team) as this patient did not fit the criterion for testing as delineated by the CDC and local Health Department.
In a statement, the CDC said, “It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19 … It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.”
In other COVID-19 news:
- COVID-19 is making its way through Europe and the Middle East. Can refer to the Johns Hopkins School of Engineering dashboard for real time dynamics of the viral spread.
- Latin America has reported its first confirmed case — in a man in São Paulo, Brazil, who recently traveled to northern Italy.
- President Donald Trump announced that Vice President Mike Pence will lead the administration’s COVID-19 effort.
- The number of new global cases surpassed new cases in China for the first time on Tuesday.
- A U.S. soldier in South Korea has tested positive.
- South Korea reported 284 new cases on Wednesday, the biggest jump yet. Of interest, many of the cases in South Korea can be linked to a religious sect who during worship place their arms around one another and sing.
