‘Community spread’ of coronavirus kills first U.S. patient

A man in Washington state became the first American to die from coronavirus, which he contracted through “community spread” of the infectious virus rather than travel, federal officials announced Saturday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s infectious disease chief, said community spread is when an infection appears in a community but doesn’t have a direct link to a known index case.

News of the man’s death came a day after health officials confirmed a second case of coronavirus in the U.S. in a person who didn’t travel internationally or have close contact with anyone who had the virus.

The man, who President Trump incorrectly said in a press conference was a woman, was reportedly in his late 50s and was a “medically high risk patient.” He has not yet been identified.

Trump also said that of the 22 people in the U.S. who have contracted coronavirus, there are four that have been deemed “very ill.”

While the governor of Washington state declared a state of emergency after the death was reported, Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said in a statement that the risk in the state remains low, as there has only been one confirmed case locally, who officials said this week is now asymptomatic and awaiting a second negative test to be cleared.

“Our priority is to protect the public health and we are working actively with state and federal partners to provide the most up to date information and guidance to our residents,” Bharel said.

Statewide, more than 600 people have been quarantined in Massachusetts due to possible exposure to the virus, though 377 have already completed the monitoring and have been released with no symptoms, according to the state Department of Public Health.

Still, 231 residents remain under self-quarantine and are being monitored, according to the DPH.

The DPH has also responded to the threat through several other strategies, including daily engagement with the CDC, keeping public health partners informed with the latest federal guidance and spreading detailed public health guidance and recommendations to school officials.

Across the globe, more than 83,000 people have been infected with the virus and about 2,800 have died, according to the World Health Organization.

Despite growing concerns over the new virus, Trump encouraged Americans not to alter their daily routines, saying that even if they contract the virus, if they are healthy they should be able to recover.

“You’re talking about 22 people right now in this whole very vast country. I think we’ll be in very good shape,” Trump said.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders turned the worsening coronavirus outbreak into a rebuke of Trump during the Vermont politician’s rally Saturday on the Boston Common.

“In the midst of a crisis like the coronavirus we need a president who believes in science,” Sanders said.

Lisa Kashinsky and Boston Herald wire services contributed to this report.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2PCc3UN