CDC confirms first U.S. person-to-person coronavirus case

The husband of a Chicago woman infected by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is the first individual in the U.S. to contract the illness via person-to-person contact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced today. CDC identified the other five U.S. cases as travel-related. “Given what we’ve seen in China and other countries with the novel coronavirus, CDC experts have expected some person-to-person spread in the U.S.,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D.
 
As of today, China reports nearly 8,000 cases and approximately 170 deaths related to coronavirus. CDC expects more U.S. cases but reiterates that the risk to the general U.S. population remains low and doesn’t recommend face masks or avoiding public places. The White House yesterday announced the creation of a coronavirus task force led by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
 
The World Health Organization late this afternoon declared the coronavirus a public health emergency. For more information and resources, including a Jan. 23 Quality Advisory, visit AHA’s coronavirus update page. CDC will host a call for clinicians Friday at 2 p.m. ET.