First case of coronavirus spread person-to-person confirmed in the US

09:33, January 31, 2020

• 

  First person-to-person coronavirus case reported in US

  A worker wearing a hazardous materials suit gives directions to a passenger at a subway station in Beijing on January. 24, 2020. China broadened its unprecedented, open-ended lockdowns to encompass around 25 million people Friday to try to contain a deadly new virus that has sickened hundreds, though the measures potential for success is uncertain. (Photo: AP)Washington (People’s Daily)-- US health officials have recorded the first human-to-human novel coronavirus transmission, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. The case marks the second one to be confirmed in Illinois.The alleged patient did not travel to China and is the husband of the Chicago woman who was reported last week to have the virus. CDC officials said the husband and wife were placed in isolation where they remain in stable condition.“Our assessment remains that the immediate risk to the US public is low,” CDC Director Robert Redfield told reporters.On Wednesday, 195 people arrived at March Air Reserve Base in California after they were evacuated from Wuhan. The evacuees were screened, monitored, and evaluated by medical personnel.After undergoing tests, the evacuees showed no signs of coronavirus-like symptoms, but will remain in voluntary quarantine at the military base, the CDC said.There have been six 2019-nCoV cases reported in the US. The CDC has implemented traveler screenings at 20 US airports while issuing updated travel guidance for China.US health officials have also urged people to avoid nonessential travel to the country.

• 

  Australia confirms first coronavirus case

  CANBERRA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A man has tested positive for coronavirus in Australia, which is the first case in the country, confirmed local health authorities on Saturday.File photo: CGTNThe man, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, is a Chinese in his 50s. He is currently under isolation in a hospital in Melbourne."What I can advise you is that the gentleman has been in the city of Wuhan in China for the past two weeks prior to the onset of his illness," said Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos.The patient is now described as in a stable condition.

• 

  First coronavirus case confirmed in Finland

  (Photo: AFP)Helsinki (People’s Daily) -- Finland has reported its first case of the new coronavirus.According to Finnish media, a Chinese tourist was confirmed as having symptoms of the virus after being admitted to hospital in Lapland, Finland.Infectious diseases specialist Markku Broas from Lapland Central Hospital said that the 33-year female tourist left Wuhan province five days ago.She first sought medical attention in Ivalo when symptoms first appeared. Samples were taken after she was transferred to Lapland Central Hospital in Rovaniemi.Tests conducted in Helsinki showed the samples were confirmed to contain the new strain of coronavirus.So far, officials estimate that about 15 people may have been exposed to infection.