InfoSearched
Published -
- February 29, 2020
- 6:08 am
First Presumed Case Of Coronavirus
Rachel Maddow relays breaking news that health officials in Oregon have announced the state’s first presumptive case of novel coronavirus, which would be the third community-spread case in the U.S. with no known origin.
What additional testing will be done to confirm the positive case of COVID-19 in Oregon?
On Friday, February 28th, Oregon health officials announced the first presumed case of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, in the state. This announcement comes amid a growing number of cases in the United States and around the world.
The individual who tested positive for the virus was an adult living in Washington County, Oregon. They had recently traveled to a country with a known outbreak of COVID-19, though officials did not disclose which country that was. The individual is currently receiving medical care at a medical facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen stated that “we expected to see more cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., and in Oregon,” and emphasized that the public health response to the virus is a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local agencies. Allen urged individuals to take simple precautions, such as washing hands regularly and staying home when sick, to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The Oregon case brings the total number of confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 in the United States to more than 70, with at least two deaths reported. Globally, the virus has infected more than 85,000 people and resulted in over 2,900 deaths.
In response to the outbreak, the World Health Organization has classified COVID-19 as a global pandemic, prompting travel restrictions and cancellations of major events around the world. U.S. health officials have also issued warnings about the potential for community spread of the virus and advised individuals to be prepared for potential disruptions in their daily lives.
Further testing will confirm whether the Oregon case is indeed a positive case of COVID-19. Regardless of the outcome, the announcement serves as a reminder that the coronavirus outbreak continues to be a serious public health concern, and that preventative measures are necessary to help mitigate its spread.
