2019 Novel Coronavirus (first detected in Wuhan, China) illustration provided by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on texture, partial graphic. (AP Images)
MARTINEZ, Calif. - Health officials confirmed Tuesday night that a Contra Costa County resident has tested positive for novel coronavirus/COVID-19.
The patient has underlying health issues and is currently in isolation and in critical condition, health department officials said at a Tuesday evening news conference.
Contra Costa County Health Services (CCHS) said the person tested positive Tuesday afternoon. They were admitted to the hospital Sunday March 1 with a respiratory flu-like illness. This is the first local case of the virus in the county and is of unknown origin.
"Our County’s public health lab conducted the test, which is expected to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in the coming days. The patient, who is being treated at a hospital in the county, had no known travel history and no known contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19."
CCHS said due to patient privacy that they would not give any more information about the patient, nor would they say which hospital they are at. Officials only offered that they are an adult.
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Health officials are conducting an investigation to identify anyone who may have had close contact with the patient before they were in isolation.
CCHS assured all of their hospitals are safe for the public. In addition, they said this case suggests COVID-19 is circulating in Contra Costa County and that it's time to prepare an to be smart about the virus.
Schools and businesses should prepare plans and encourage employees and students to stay home if they are sick. Use hand sanitizer, wash your hands for 20 seconds and often. Do not touch your face and use household cleaners to wipe down surfaces. You should also try to keep distance from people who appear to have a cold or the flu. Avoid shaking hands and try to maintain distance.