A Boston man in his 20s is the eighth confirmed case of Coronavirus in the United States and the first Massachusetts resident.
The man recently returned from Wuhan, China and sought medical attention shortly after arriving in Massachusetts. He remains in isolation and his close contacts are being closely monitored for symptoms.
Monica Bharel, Public Health Commissioner of Massachusetts, credited the clinicians who treated the man with taking “appropriate action quickly.” She added that “the risk to the public from the 2019 novel coronavirus remains low in Massachusetts.”
Other cases in the US include three in California, two in Illinois and one each in Washington state, Arizona and now Massachusetts.
Worldwide there have been more than 12,000 confirmed cases with 259 deaths. More than 98% of the cases have been in China and all deaths have occurred there.
The recommended steps to prevent infection are the same as those for the cold or flu. Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, cover cough and sneeze and stay home when feeling sick .
Coronavirus is a respiratory virus and is generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person.
Symptoms of novel coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, pneumonia (fluid in the lungs).
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